Hot for Preacher

by Anne Marsh

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.

From showing up to glowing up, the characters in Afterglow Books are on the path to leading their best lives and finding sizzling romance along the way. Don’t miss any of these other fun titles…

The Code for Love by Anne Marsh

Church Girl by Naima Simone

The Summer of Perfect Mistakes by Cynthia St. Aubin

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, Contemporary Romance, Forced Proximity, Fiction, Contemporary

288 pages, Paperback

Published February 24, 2026

About the author

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.

Newsletter: https://anne-marsh.com/newsletter/ (join for bonus scenes, early covers, and book news)

FOLLOW ANNE:
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Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/annemarshau...

TikTok: Coming soon!

Reviews

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a Romance. I read this book by listening to the audiobook, and I found the audiobook to be ok. I found parts of this book to be so very cheesy, but there were parts of this book I really enjoyed. There were some cute and fun moments in this book. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.

[Kayla Lingerfelt]

Don’t do the audiobook. The male narrator sounds like your grandpa

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Harlequin and Afterglow for this ARC!

Trigger or content warnings? No.

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

[Susie (DFWSusie) · Rating 2 out of 5]

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

Setting: fictional small town in Tennessee

BIPOC Characters: unsure
LGBTQ+ Characters: unsure

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

[hannah ⊹ ࣪ ˖ · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[thebeespot72 · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Sarah Festa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have very mixed feelings with this one.

On the one hand, I enjoyed a lot of the small town characters that fitted around our lovebirds.

On the other, the story felt rushed and I didn't gel with the writing.

I wish we had gotten more of the backstory trauma that Jack clearly harboured, I think this could have been something to add a lot of depth but it felt like we glazed over it just a few times and moved swiftly on.

Whilst I did enjoy the energy of Dixies character and thought the health problems she dealt with were unique, I struggled to connect with her.

I think I would have enjoyed maybe this story being flushed out a bit more rather than a speed read with spice.

[Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75⭐️ well written and a fun time - can’t decide if I have some catholic guilt over reading about a preacher having sex though… 😂

“Still look up at the stars sometimes, though. Just without the pressure to land there.” Is such a beautiful quote 💕

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy!

[Lauri · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[Tomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and hallmarky! I was really interested to see how this would play out as an open door romance and enjoyed it for what it was.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Hot for preacher is out 2/24/26!

[Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hot for Preacher feels like someone dared Anne Marsh to take the forbidden hot priest fantasy, shove it in a honky-tonk, and see what happens. And honestly? It mostly works. This is small town chaos, spicy preacher temptation, and one very stubborn country singer clinging to her dreams with two hands and a busted transmission.

Dixie Pearl is out here living the “girlboss but make it medically ill and broke” lifestyle. She has a van that is one pothole away from spontaneous collapse, a Nashville dream that will not die, and a body that keeps tapping out thanks to her health. She is sharp-tongued, defensive, and absolutely allergic to accepting help. I loved her immediately. She’s not written to be cutesy and easy to swallow, she’s written like a real person who is tired and scared and still performing confidence like it pays her rent.

Then she ends up in a ditch in the middle of nowhere Tennessee, which is how she meets Jack Carter, the local preacher who looks like he should be chopping wood on the cover of a romance novel. He is kind, grounded, and very much Not Prepared for the traveling chaos muppet he just pulled out of a busted van. The whole setup is very “what if Fleabag’s Hot Priest stumbled into a Hallmark Christmas town, but the heroine swears more and has arthritis.”

The dynamic between them is fantastic. Dixie is all fireworks and sarcasm, Jack is quiet competence and repressed longing. He is truly not the judgey, sermonizing stereotype. He’s progressive, he feeds his congregation, he fixes things, he shows up for people. Which makes it extra delightful when he starts having very unholy thoughts about the woman who is currently sleeping under his roof. His internal war between desire, duty, and “oh God the church ladies are going to know” is exactly the kind of drama I want.

Let’s talk spice. The book is open door and it does not shy away. But the sex scenes are doing emotional work, not just existing like random scenes dropped in because “spicy sells.” The whole vibe is, “I wanna sin, I wanna pray, I wanna have the devil’s way with my preacher man,” and the story really commits to that tension between reverence and filth. If you liked the tone of Nobody Wants This, this has a similar energy, just with boots, humidity, and a lot more casserole-based peer pressure.

The small town, Wickham Hollow, is basically a whole supporting cast. There is big found family energy here. You get the gossipy busybodies, the well-meaning disasters, the church ladies who weaponize baked goods, all orbiting this tiny church and its chronically stressed minister. Over time the town becomes a safety net for Dixie, which hits harder because she rolls in with almost nothing. It never tips fully into parody, it just feels like that place where everyone knows your business and still hands you a plate of food.

Where it loses a little shine for me is the narrative style. It’s first person, present tense, dual POV, and the voice is Very Online. There are a lot of quippy asides, exclamation points, and “I am narrating my own streaming romcom” energy. Sometimes it’s hilarious and feels exactly like sitting inside Dixie’s anxious brain. Other times it made me want to grab the page and go “please, I am begging you, one normal sentence.” If you are into that kind of chatty, voicey narration, you will eat this up. If you are cranky about current romance trends, you might feel like you’ve been kidnapped by a TikTok.

The plot itself is pretty straightforward in a good way: big dreams vs small town roots, independence vs community, faith vs desire. The chronic illness piece threads through all of that. Her body isn’t just a throwaway detail, it shapes her choices, her fear of slowing down, her refusal to be “someone’s project.” Jack’s devotion to his calling is treated as real, not just a cute quirk he can drop whenever it’s inconvenient. The book doesn’t dig super deep into every consequence, but it has more emotional weight than the “haha hot preacher” premise suggests.

The ending works emotionally, even if it feels a little rushed. You can feel the HEA, it’s sweet, it makes sense, but I definitely wanted an extra chapter or an epilogue to actually see what their life looks like when the dust settles. The whole central conflict is “her life is pointed one way, his is nailed to this town,” so I was craving just a bit more detail on how they actually juggle that long term. Not a dealbreaker, just one of those “wait, that’s it?” moments.

Hot for Preacher is like a shot of whiskey in your church punch. It’s fun, irreverent, unexpectedly tender, and very willing to make you question your stance on clergy as love interests. For me, it’s a comfortable 3.5 stars. I had a great time, I side-eyed the narration sometimes, and I will absolutely be thinking about Jack Carter every time I drive past a generic country church for at least a week.

Massive thanks to Harlequin - Romance and NetGalley for the ARC, my Kindle has never been so blessed or so desperately in need of cold water.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars

#HotForPreacher #AnneMarsh #BookReview #RomanceBooks #SpicyRomance #SmallTownRomance #OppositesAttract #ARCReview #NetGalley #AfterglowBooks #HarlequinRomance #RomanceReads #CozyRomance

[Beyond the Pages with Eva K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick Summary: A taboo romance, shh...

My Review: Hot for Preacher by Anne Marsh is a contemporary, small town romance. It is scheduled for release on 2/24/26.

About the Book: "When country singer Dixie Pearl’s van breaks down in the middle of nowhere, Tennessee, it feels like rock bottom.

It’s pure luck that the burly bearded man who hauls her out of the ditch is a beloved local minister.

This preacher man is giving her something to believe in."

In My Own Words: An opposites attract connection goes from a hot insta level coupling to a hellfire-passion love match.

About the Characters:

Jack Carter - Preacher, troubled past, panic attacks, golden retriever energy, open to a non-traditional relationship, responsible, represents stability, good guy

Dixie Pearl - > Country singer, RA, toxic history with relationships, grinding for her shot, searching for something more but hesitant to grab hold, good heart hidden under layer of toughness

About the Couple: This pairing was definitely one to talk about. It was a straight strangers to lovers, close proximity, forbidden attraction, and pushing the limits romance.

About the Conflict: Internal and external conflicts abounded in this one. Much of it had to do with identity, expectations, limitations, goals, choices, and pressure from familial, community, and professional relationships.

About the Audiobook: This novel was narrated by Courtney Patterson and Todd McLaren. Truthfully, this was an interesting mash up of voices. I can say that the narration injected humor, sass, and wit, which made me want to keep listening. With that said, the male voice did not seem to fit with the character. It was off-putting at times. I had to alter the speed to present a different take. I loved the female presentation. From the twangy word-play to the vulnerable confessions, her efforts were believable.

My Final Say: This story sneaks up on you, taps you on the shoulder, and gets you laughing and thinking out loud before you even know what's happening. It has a lot of humorous moments, for sure. It also has a lot of challenging moments that dare you to assess your thoughts and beliefs about morality, roles, and societal mores. All in all, there is definitely more to this story than a quick wham bam thank you mam. Readers who give it a fair shake may discover that they like it more than would have ever thought.

Honorable Mentions: The church choir and the drooly boy were ha-ha-hilarious.

My Favorite Scenes (coded, so as to avoid spoilers):

✨ - Ferris Wheels

💖 - Pop Pop's gift

✨ - Challenge! (Who Did It Best?)

💖 - Time & Tomorrows

Other: Readers who enjoy romances where two opposing lifestyles collide, where found family is a thing, and where moving beyond past hurts gives way to new possibilities may like this novel.

Rating: 3.75/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Status: ⭐⭐⭐3/4
Level: 🌶️
Format: 🎧
Narration: +/-

Thank you to the author, to the publisher (Harlequin Audio), and to NetGalley for providing access to an ALC of this title in exchange for an honest critique. I appreciate the opportunity to review this work of fiction.

[Cat Lady Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm going to do something a bit different for this review. I'm copying and pasting the texts I sent my two best friends about this book, as it doesn't get more honest than that (I did edit a little for brevity and to avoid spoilers):

Me: This hot for preacher book is so stinking cute. And smutty. The only issue is I can't stand the male narrator's voice. He should be doing infomercials or documentaries, not a sexy voice at all. His female voices sound like Blanche from the Golden Girls.
Bestie: Preachers are inherently unsexy
Me: Not this one. He's a former Marine and looks like a lumberjack.
She doesn't know who he is at first, then he takes her to dinner and everyone's calling him "Preacher." She's like "what's with the nickname?" And they're like "what nickname, that dude is our pastor"
"He's hot in a 'Bless me, Daddy' kind of way" 🤣 I love this book. I didn't expect to like it this much.

Ok so here's the premise- she's the daughter of a one hit wonder country star; it was a HUGE hit and he's still making money from it. She's trying to make it on her own apart from him and his toxic manipulative ways but she's struggling and broke. Her van breaks down in a tiny town, pastor (unbeknownst to her) rescues her. She has a no strings one night stand with him - which he's surprisingly okay with, but is thinking more that he wants to marry her.
Next day she finds out the van parts will take a month to arrive so she's stuck there. He agrees to let her live in the parsonage with him. She writes a song about how sexually frustrated she is over the hot preacher and posts it on Instagram to her very small follower count. It goes viral, chaos ensues.

OMG Hot for Preacher is protestant sister act! The church needs a new roof and the really really awful church choir needs to win a competition to get the money to fix it. So the stranded country singer is trying to fix them and make the hymn more honkey tonk
(end of text thread)

So to summarize, this book would get 5 stars from me if it weren't for the male narrator. The female narrator makes up for it though, and her male voices are flawless! It was delightfully smutty (3/5 spice), funny, romantic, totally bingeable.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the ALC I received in exchange for my honest review.

[Kristie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, I was so here for this premise. A rebel, down-on-her-luck country singer stranded in small-town Tennessee… rescued by a single, very attractive preacher? That setup had all kinds of potential.

Preacher Jack was honestly my favorite part of the book. He’s steady, selfless, and truly admirable. He puts everyone else first and really takes his role in the community seriously. I loved watching him wrestle with his feelings for Dixie, that internal tension worked well and made him feel genuine.

Dixie Pearl had moments I really liked. She’s spunky, and not afraid to say what she wants. But her personality felt inconsistent. In one chapter she’s bold and confident, and in the next she’s letting people push her around. That back-and-forth made it harder for me to fully connect with her.

My biggest struggle, though, was how fast the romance moved. The attraction goes from zero to extremely intense within hours of them meeting. I don’t mind steam, but I would’ve loved a little more emotional buildup first, especially given her health struggles and his position as a preacher. It had the making for a deeper slow burn, and I just wanted more of that.

The audiobook narration also didn’t quite land for me. The female narrator was decent, but the male narrator sounded much older than I imagined Jack to be, almost like he should be narrating a classic children’s fable, or a nonfiction book. And when he did female voices, it came off more like an elderly granny than a romantic lead. It just didn’t match the vibe of the story.

I’d give this one ⭐⭐⭐. For me, the biggest thing holding it back was that I never fully felt a true emotional connection between Dixie and Jack. Because the relationship turns intensely physical so quickly, it felt more like immediate lust than a deep, developing love. I really wanted to feel them falling in love.

Overall, I loved the concept and really appreciated Jack’s character. While the fast-paced romance and narration weren’t my favorite, readers who enjoy, small-town, opposites-attract romances might still have a good time with this one.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Audio for the ARC!

[Lacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

🔎 ARC Book Review

Hot for Preacher

@author_anne_marsh
@harlequinbooks
@netgalley

Publication Date: Feb 24th, 2026

My Rating:
🌟 4/5

👀Read if you like
Opposites Attract
Grumpy X Sunshine
Small Town

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.


🔎 My review
The title alone had me hooked from page one 🤠📖 and it did NOT disappoint! This was such an entertaining, light-hearted, quick read that had me smiling the whole time. I loved their total opposites-attract dynamic 💥
Dixie is messy, hilarious, and unapologetically real 😂✨
Jack is gentle, steady, and all about his community 🤍🌾
She doesn’t plan to stay.
He doesn’t plan to fall.
But the entire town is shipping them… and honestly? So was I 🫶🏽🏡
Small town meddling + undeniable chemistry + a splash of chaos = perfection.
And tell me… what’s better than a little whiskey in the church punch? 🥃⛪️😏


Thank you @author_anne_marsh, @harlequinbooks, @netgalley for the ARC!

#NetGalley
#HotforPreacher
#SmallTownRomance 🌾
#OppositesAttract 💕
#RomanceReads 📚

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Hot For Preacher

Author: Anne March-new to me author

Publication date: 2/24/26 | Read: 2/20/26

Format: e-Book 288 pgs.

Genre:
*Romance

Tropes:
*opposites attract
*grumpy H/sunshine h
*forced proximity
*small town community

POV: 1st person dual

TW: h-chronic illness, financial woes, toxic parent, panic attack, gossip/online scrutiny

Setting: Tennessee

Summary: After Dixie's van breaks down in small town Wickham Hollow, she meets Jack-the town preacher. They sing together at the karaoke bar Southern Comforts and go home together. Jack offers her his spare room while her van is fixed, and a job helping the diocese in the "Raise the Roof" talent show. His church needs a new roof and with Dixie's singing background, she agrees to help the choir. Can Dixie keep her music dreams alive or will she give it up for preacher man?

Heroine: Dixie Pearl-a country singer, writes a song and posts it online about Jack
Hero: Jack Carter-preacher of his town, lived in car w/ family in childhood. Now he's a fixer, a real white knight

Other Characters:
* Deacon and Slate- town mechanics @ Sweetgum Auto
*Hank Pearl-Dixie's father, had a minor hit Xmas album 20yrs. ago
*Dee/Tilly-part of the "Dirty Girls" gardening group
*Bishop Morgan Caldwell-Jack's boss
*Huck and Georgia Peach-Jack's dog and chinchilla
*River and Pine- Dixie's musician friends from Nashville

My Thoughts: Dixie was a fun heroine with a dream and wanted success after years of travel and sacrifice. She got involved Jack, who's a gem of a boyfriend, especially when he looked for Dixie's vintage guitar. He even stood in for her with the choir when she had a bad RA flare-up. This story had a lot of heart that gave me the warm fuzzies.

Rating: 4/5
Spice level: 4/5 open door

Thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin-Romance | Afterglow Books, and Anne Marsh for this ARC! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own.

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dixie Pearl is a country singer with a heart of gold, but not much to her name. When her trusty home on wheels breaks down, she's stuck in the middle of nowhere. Out of options she finds herself a sexy man to spend the night with. She doesn't expect the sexy man to be the town preacher.

Jack Carter is sweet preacher man who needs a miracle to save the church roof. Spending the night with beautiful Dixie is a recipe for trouble. But he takes a whole heap of it. Dixie helps Jack and the town in the only way that she knows how, by singing.

At first, I wasn't sure about these two. It took me a minute to warm up to them as a couple and Dixie in general. She was kind of off-putting with her very secular thinking. I wasn't sure how it would work with them having such different world views. Jack was a big softie and I'm glad that he stuck to his morals and didn't compromise who he was. I enjoyed seeing Dixie soften towards religion in general and the town and its quirky inhabitants. By the end I could see them as a couple and they were so sweet. I was glad that Dixie was able to go off and get her dream of making it big. I love that she was able to see on her own that dreams can change, and it doesn't mean that you've given up. Jack was a solid guy for letting her chase her dreams when he could have been a jerk about it.

The narration was done by Courtney Patterson and Todd McLaren. I haven't listened to either of them before but they both have extensive backlists. They both did their southern accents well. The only thing is that they both sounded older than late twenties/early thirties. So that took me a minute to get used to. By the end I could picture the characters with their voices, and it meshed well.

I give the story itself 3 stars
The audiobook 4
All in all 3.5 stars for this one.

I was given an audiobook copy of this book to review for NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Emma Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️ 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.

[Imromanticallyinvolved · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Harlequin, Harlequin Audio, Netgalley and Anne Marsh for the ARC and ALC. These are my honest thoughts.

Hot for Preacher was an ok read for me.
Nothing really bad or really good stood out for me. I felt that we got to know Dixie a little better than Jack and this imbalance left me wanting. Dixie definitely had a chip on her shoulder, struggling to find her place in the world and maybe her car breaking down was a bit of divine intervention?? This gave her time to slow down, reflect and reorganize her priorities.

This "divine intervention" came in the form of Jack, the small town preacher who was instantly smitten. His approach to living was slower and more rooted than Dixie which made for an interesting dynamic.

I felt that even though Jack was progressive, these two hopped into bed a little too quickly and didn't quite fit his character. A slower burn would have made more sense for both characters and would have engaged me a lot more.

Dixie's internal dialogue accounted for a lot of my enjoyment as did the interaction with the town meddlers. The romance was cute, sweet and predictable but I also felt it lacked chemistry. I needed them to yearn for each other a bit more instead of feeling like boxes were being checked.

I recommend this book to those looking for an enjoyable way to pass the time with a light-hearted, opposites attract, small town romance that doesn't necessarily require your complete attention or emotional investment.

I also recommend reading this with your eyes as the narration didn't quite work for me. Courtney Patterson matched Dixie's character well with good animation, cadence and tone. Unfortunately, I found Todd McLaren to be a bit jarring, especially his female voice. I believe he's a great narrator but Jack was just not for him.

[Rissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dixie might just have me convinced that a preacher man might not be too bad.

Todd McLaren and Courtney Patterson absolutely rocked this audiobook. It was dual narration, but they both were able to match each others vibes. Courtney was able to keep the same accent and broody pacing of Jack while Todd was able to capture the same flirty vibes from Dixie. Not to mention how well they synced up their choices for side characters. They made it really easy to follow dialogue. Todd’s preacher voice was so convincing. I really felt like I should have been in the back of the church in one of this sinners pews sometimes. He picked the perfect gravely twang that I would imagine Jack to have. Courtney made so many solid choices for Dixie. She really helped solidify Dixie as a character for me. She picked up on the anxiety under Dixie’s fun, flirty banter and brought it to life.

The character growth for both Jackie and Dixie was so refreshing to see. Jack went from a man who was dedicated to only the church and the town to someone who allows himself to have joy outside of his job. Dixie finding herself was such a journey. She learned how to communicate better, stand up for herself, and really come into her own.

Both characters really felt like they helped the other just exist as they are without judgement. Which was great for the tension and the chemistry because whew. Those two were magnetic from the jump. Their banter is some of my favorite that I’ve read lately. Also, love to see a chronic illness rep. Seeing Dixie’s daily struggle with rheumatoid arthritis and how she handled a flare was so validating. The way Jack took care of her even when he couldn’t be there was just chefs kiss. Exactly what every girl wishes their man would do.

I felt like I was in the middle of my own personal rom com and I was loving every minute.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast paced small town romance between an aspiring county music star and a preacher.

Van trouble means she’s stuck in town - she’s got a personality fit for the big stage but finds herself stuck in a small town. She’s instantly attracted to a guy who happens to be the local minister - who offers her a place to stay since there’s no hotels in town. She’s a city girl, and he’s a small town boy - but when sparks fly can they make it?

“I’m small-town, through and through, and now I feel like a stupid moth flapping around the brightest light of all, the bold, bright, creative ray of sunlight that’s Dixie.”

Dixie is trying to make it on her own; avoiding her dad because his help always comes with conditions and she’d see conceding to him as a failure. She has an instant attraction to Jack - which is acted upon! No slow burn here folks!

There was some good chronic illness representation. We see her dad’s reaction that she should just ‘push through’ vs Jack caring for her and saying she needs to take care of herself. How the ‘not showing up’ limitations of her illness affect her just as much as the physical ones.

“The preacher thing is false advertising—he’s absolutely filthy.”

Jack is the town preacher - but not celibate! He needs to raise money to fix the church’s roof - so talent show antics ensue. Typical ‘nice’ guy with a spicy side, who also happens to be a priest.

“You’re not just staying in my house, Dixie. You’re not just my guest. You’re…” “What?”“Mine,” he says simply. Like it’s that easy. That clear. “If you want to be.”

Overall this was a spicy small town romance with a big city girl and a small town boy.

ARC copy provided by Harlequin & NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

[Matilda Dix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get ready for a sizzling romance where opposites attract in the heart of small-town Tennessee! Country singer Dixie Pearl finds herself stranded in rural Tennessee when her van breaks down, hitting what feels like rock bottom. She's fiercely independent, yet her recent health struggles have made her dream of fame seem unreachable. Fortunately, local minister Jack Carter comes to her rescue. Used to the chaos of dive bars and late-night brawls, Dixie is surprised by Jack's kindness and charm. Despite their differences, sparks fly between the sharp-tongued Dixie and the calm, devoted Jack. As Dixie contemplates her future, she must navigate the tension between her dreams and the growing attachment to Jack. This story explores themes of independence, love, and finding one's place in the world.

WooooooWeeeeeee...this was a sexy book. Love the open door spice scenes. I think some reviews are commenting on the taboo idea of having sex with a priest, but the author is clear that he is a minister at a seemingly nondenominational church, so marriage and relationships are on the table. I think Jack and Dixie live in different worlds, but it makes for a good opposites attract story. The book offers a delightful blend of humor, heart, and heat. Jack and Dixie's chemistry unfolds through witty banter and tender moments. The small-town setting provides a charming backdrop filled with quirky characters and a sense of community. The book tackles real-life challenges, including health struggles and personal dreams, adding depth to the romance. Dixie and Jack's chemistry is undeniable, blending humor, love, and a touch of faith. This story is a spicy and heartfelt journey you won't want to miss! ❤️🔥🙏 The book was just released two days ago and I highly recommend it.

[Kelly's Bookish World · Rating 4 out of 5]

Synopsis:
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.

When I saw that Hot For Preacher was set in Tennessee, I knew I had to read it. I really enjoyed the banter between Dixie and Jack, the quirky characters, and the small town setting. Since Jack was a progressive minister, I expected more of a slow burn romance, but that was not the case. The scenes were steamy but not gratuitous. It was a fun, heartfelt romance.

Read if you enjoy:
-small town settings
-close proximity
-opposites attract
-chronic illness representation

Thanks to NetGalley and Afterglow Books for the advanced digital copy of the book.

[KayLove · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dixie Pearl is on a mission to make a name for herself in the country music world. And with a dad in the industry, it should be easy, but she doesn't want that easy fix. Turns out the universe agrees that things shouldn't be easy, because her van breaks down in a small town on the way to Nashville.
Enter Jack Carter, a burly cowboy type who swoops in to save the day. He helps her into town, brings her van to a mechanic, and buys her dinner. When their chemistry becomes too much for Dixie to ignore, she sits on his lap in the middle of the bar. Which wouldn't be an issue, until Jack reveals his job.. the town's preacher.

This is such a great book! I love a badass, carefree main character who has an issue that makes her a bit more relatable. I am also such a sucker for a semi-grumpy love interest who falls first. Jack is such a sweetheart with a bit of a rough exterior, and the idea of a cowboy preacher made me giggle and kick my feet a bit more than I thought was possible.
I definitely think there were some plot points that Marsh could have dug a bit deeper into. Specifically Jack's claustrophobia, Dixie's relationship with her grandfather, and how some things between side characters ended up.
There was also a third-act miscommunication trope in there, which I am not a fan of. However! It was resolved so quickly that I wasn't sure if it truly mattered to the plot or not.

Thank you so much to Afterglow Books, Harlequin, and NetGalley for the eARC. Projected publishing date: February 24th, 2026

[mia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hot for Preacher has a delightfully quirky premise: country singer Dixie Pearl broken down in Tennessee meets kind-hearted preacher Jack Carter and sparks fly between dive-bar grit and Sunday sermons but it never fully lives up to the energy its concept promises. After a slow start, the pacing picks up and the small-town charm, found-family feels and Dixie’s sharp tongue make it entertaining once you settle into it.

Dixie is a firecracker: stubborn, funny and vulnerably human as she wrestles with chasing her Nashville dreams while also fighting for independence. Jack is sweet and grounded in all the classic small-town romance ways, a gentle foil to her chaos who is surprisingly good at reconciling his preacher life with very worldly desire. Their chemistry and banter work to keep the romance engaging, even when some scenes lean a bit predictable.

Where the book falls a bit short is in depth and narrative consistency, some of Jack’s internal conflict and Dixie’s personal stakes could’ve used more room to breathe. That said, the quirky cast of cosy Wickham Hollow characters and the way the spicy moments support the emotional arc give the story enough heart to make it readable and enjoyable in the moment.

Overall, it's cute, spicy and fun once it hits its stride, even if it doesn’t dig as deep as it could.

(Thank you Edelweiss and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for a review. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own)

[Kate Laycoax · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[books.n.ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot For Preacher was such a fun and different read! Gah! I loved it so so much!! Jack and Dixie are the MOST unlikely pairing, but they just make so much sense together! Dixie is an aspiring country star that has her van break down in a small Tennessee town that's full of oddball residents, a central to everything dive bar watering hole and a church that's in desperate need of repairs. Dixie finds herself mostly broke, stranded and in need of a plan to get out of this tiny town when she runs into the unlikely hero of our story, Jack Carter. Former Marine turned Small-Town Preacher Jack Carter is everything that a Preacher should be. Kind, welcoming, helpful and self-less. He's also everything that a Preacher SHOULDN'T be...Insanely mouthwateringly attractive and single.

Dixie is an unapologetic spit-fire that isn't afraid to say what she means and she's absolutely heartwarming and hilarious. She's so easy to like, even though she's kind of a disaster throughout the story. She's a typical artist in the way that she's kind of tortured and has a somewhat toxic relationship with her father and she's also adorably self-deprecating.

There's just so much fun in this story. Pet Chinchillas, surly bartenders, a misfit church choir and a gardening club full of small town gossip and friendships.

I hope there are more stories to come in this universe because this tiny town just captured my whole entire heart!

[Viper Spaulding · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Girl said “bless me daddy” and meant it."

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.

[LauraxChristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Thank you NetGalley, Anne Marsh and Harlequin Audio for the ALC**


3.5, rounding up
Dixie Pearl, aspiring musician, and Jack Carter, the local small town minister, start off by having a movie perfect meet-cute. Dixie's car breaks down and of course, Jack is her hero. Right off the bat. These characters have a cute chemistry! Dixie is a total southern spitfire and Jack is the perfect person to be her calm.

Without getting into spoilers, this was a cute read. I could see it being a little Hallmark short series of some kinds. It's wholesome yet smutty. There's plenty of snark and characters us small town people can picture in our own towns. I would recommend this to others who enjoy FMCs with big personalities and MMCs like the boy next-door, except hes a hot minister who believes in sex before marriage.

My critique. The narration was a bit off for me. The MMCs voice didn't match the character's vibe, if that makes sense. I kept thinking back to movies that are set in the 40s-50s before there was television and everyone sat around the radio at night listening to shows. It wasn't off-putting, it simply didnt line up for me. The narration by the FMC was a little hard at times as well. The overly thick southern accent was a bit overkill. Neither were enough to make me DNF.