What do you think?
Rate this book
A Whisper of Bells and Prayers
Love was never her calling, until she heard her voice in the dark.
Hidden high within the towers of Notre-Dame, Mirela tolls the bells. Scarred by fire and kept under the control of her so-called savior, Master Ferron, she has learned that devotion can feel like chains.
Then she hears Claire, a young nun who awakens something in Mirela she had never felt before... Hope, desire and the aching need to be seen. Their secret meetings begin in whispers and candlelight, until forbidden touches turns faith into temptation.
But Ferron's eyes are always watching, and his generosity hides away a sickening obsession.
When passion and devotion collide, the walls of the cathedral will tremble and the two women must decide if love is worth the fire that will follow.
Hidden high within the towers of Notre-Dame, Mirela tolls the bells. Scarred by fire and kept under the control of her so-called savior, Master Ferron, she has learned that devotion can feel like chains.
Then she hears Claire, a young nun who awakens something in Mirela she had never felt before... Hope, desire and the aching need to be seen. Their secret meetings begin in whispers and candlelight, until forbidden touches turns faith into temptation.
But Ferron's eyes are always watching, and his generosity hides away a sickening obsession.
When passion and devotion collide, the walls of the cathedral will tremble and the two women must decide if love is worth the fire that will follow.
177 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 3, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
April 9, 2026
somos c.c. gonzález con sus libros saficos y yo contra el mundo
May 16, 2026
Romantic, deliciously blasphemous, and great for any lover of lesbians and The Hunchback of Notre Dame
CW: abuse, murder, violence, dead loved ones, religious bigotry/extremism/violence, fire/fire injury, explicit sexual content, homophobia, sexism, racism
CW: abuse, murder, violence, dead loved ones, religious bigotry/extremism/violence, fire/fire injury, explicit sexual content, homophobia, sexism, racism
July 8, 2026
This was my first C.C. Gonzalez and my first Auri Alden, and what a combination to start with, honestly. Okay, so a sapphic Hunchback of Notre Dame retelling set in the actual towers of Notre-Dame with a scarred bell ringer and a young nun whose secret meetings start in candlelight and whispers?? I was always going to be here for this. Always. The premise alone had me pressing play before I could even think about it.
Mirela and Claire are so precious together. The way they care for each other, the way they genuinely see each other when the whole world has been designed to keep them hidden and small, is so quietly and beautifully sapphic. I found their tenderness completely moving and was rooting for them completely from the very first moment they shared the same space.
I will say the romance does move quickly, and for my personal taste, I would have loved a little more time with them, a slower build before the emotional payoff. But here is the thing, babes, this is a four-hour audiobook. Getting real depth into that runtime is genuinely a challenge, and I want to be fair about that. This premise has so much potential, and I honestly think it could be something extraordinary as a full-length novel. What is here is lovely and warm and absolutely worth your time, especially if you are looking for something quick and beautiful and emotionally tender.
Auri Alden's narration is a real highlight for me. This is my first audiobook by this narrator and I can safely say, I’m ready for another one! I tandem read alongside the audio and loved the experience both ways. She brings Mirela and Claire to life with such care, and the whole atmosphere of Notre-Dame, the candlelight, the secrecy, the weight of faith and longing, comes through so beautifully in her performance.
If you want a quick, easy, atmospheric listen full of tenderness and forbidden romance, this is absolutely the one. I am very glad I found C.C. Gonzalez, and I will definitely be back for more.
Thank you to Podium & the author for an ALC of this Audiobook in exchange for an honest review
Mirela and Claire are so precious together. The way they care for each other, the way they genuinely see each other when the whole world has been designed to keep them hidden and small, is so quietly and beautifully sapphic. I found their tenderness completely moving and was rooting for them completely from the very first moment they shared the same space.
I will say the romance does move quickly, and for my personal taste, I would have loved a little more time with them, a slower build before the emotional payoff. But here is the thing, babes, this is a four-hour audiobook. Getting real depth into that runtime is genuinely a challenge, and I want to be fair about that. This premise has so much potential, and I honestly think it could be something extraordinary as a full-length novel. What is here is lovely and warm and absolutely worth your time, especially if you are looking for something quick and beautiful and emotionally tender.
Auri Alden's narration is a real highlight for me. This is my first audiobook by this narrator and I can safely say, I’m ready for another one! I tandem read alongside the audio and loved the experience both ways. She brings Mirela and Claire to life with such care, and the whole atmosphere of Notre-Dame, the candlelight, the secrecy, the weight of faith and longing, comes through so beautifully in her performance.
If you want a quick, easy, atmospheric listen full of tenderness and forbidden romance, this is absolutely the one. I am very glad I found C.C. Gonzalez, and I will definitely be back for more.
Thank you to Podium & the author for an ALC of this Audiobook in exchange for an honest review
April 3, 2026
3.25 ⭐
June 16, 2026
Interesting Idea, Wrong Expectations
I was really excited to see an FF retelling of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. I love both the original novel (and even the Disney adaptation,) so this immediately caught my attention.
Unfortunately, I think this might have missed the point of The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
The original story is so heavily centered on appearance, prejudice, social exclusion, and the dangers of unchecked power. The setup here is practically begging to explore those themes too — lesbians, a church, institutional power structures — and instead it mostly focuses on “I don’t see your scars because I love you” and “people don’t really care that you’re different.”
Which is fine as a romance theme, but it feels almost like the opposite message of the original story. Even the Disney version, which is significantly softer than the novel, wasn’t this sunshine-and-roses about how society treats people who are visibly different.
And I cannot believe I’m about to say this, but I think I could have done without the smut.
It wasn’t bad, it just felt oddly out of place. The whole book already feels very condensed, and at times it felt like story and character development had been cut down to make room for sex scenes. By the end, this felt less like a retelling of The Hunchback of Notre Dame and more like a smutty novella about a nun and a burn survivor falling in love in Notre Dame.
Had I gone into it expecting that, I honestly think I would have enjoyed it more. The problem wasn’t necessarily what the book was — it was that it wasn’t what I thought it was going to be.
The audiobook narrator was good, though I wish that she had distinguished between the two women’s voices a little more.
I was really excited to see an FF retelling of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. I love both the original novel (and even the Disney adaptation,) so this immediately caught my attention.
Unfortunately, I think this might have missed the point of The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
The original story is so heavily centered on appearance, prejudice, social exclusion, and the dangers of unchecked power. The setup here is practically begging to explore those themes too — lesbians, a church, institutional power structures — and instead it mostly focuses on “I don’t see your scars because I love you” and “people don’t really care that you’re different.”
Which is fine as a romance theme, but it feels almost like the opposite message of the original story. Even the Disney version, which is significantly softer than the novel, wasn’t this sunshine-and-roses about how society treats people who are visibly different.
And I cannot believe I’m about to say this, but I think I could have done without the smut.
It wasn’t bad, it just felt oddly out of place. The whole book already feels very condensed, and at times it felt like story and character development had been cut down to make room for sex scenes. By the end, this felt less like a retelling of The Hunchback of Notre Dame and more like a smutty novella about a nun and a burn survivor falling in love in Notre Dame.
Had I gone into it expecting that, I honestly think I would have enjoyed it more. The problem wasn’t necessarily what the book was — it was that it wasn’t what I thought it was going to be.
The audiobook narrator was good, though I wish that she had distinguished between the two women’s voices a little more.
July 13, 2026
This book is very fast paced and not a slow burn like I usually prefer.
But for what it was, I really did love it!
But for what it was, I really did love it!
February 18, 2026
3.5⭐️
I want to start off by thanking the author C.C. Gonzalez for providing me with this e-arc!
A Whisper of Bells and Prayers is a book about grief, longing and healing that's filled with the most precious love story. It's also a sapphic retelling of the Hunchback of Notre Dame.
We follow Mirela, a woman who's held captive in the bell tower of the cathedral. She's not allowed to leave and she must not be seen by anyone but Ferron, her captor. One day she hears the beautiful voice of a nun called Claire. Claire was forced by her parents to become a nun but all she really wants is just to be free. What happens when the the two lock eyes and are immediately drawn to each other?
The relationship between Mirela and Claire is so tender, precious and beautiful. The way they care for each other is just to die for. I love them so much.
However, that being said, I do think their relationship is
bit too insta-lovey for my personal taste. I would have enjoyed it more if it went a bit slower (I am a sucker for some good yearning so that's usually why I don't fully vibe with "insta-love").
I think overall I just wish there was a bit more of everything. But that being said it's a good, fast paced novella that's quick to get through. I definitely recommend checking it out if you're in the mood for something easy to read that is heartwarming and cute but also touch some heavier elements.
I can't wait to have a look at the authors other works!
I want to start off by thanking the author C.C. Gonzalez for providing me with this e-arc!
A Whisper of Bells and Prayers is a book about grief, longing and healing that's filled with the most precious love story. It's also a sapphic retelling of the Hunchback of Notre Dame.
We follow Mirela, a woman who's held captive in the bell tower of the cathedral. She's not allowed to leave and she must not be seen by anyone but Ferron, her captor. One day she hears the beautiful voice of a nun called Claire. Claire was forced by her parents to become a nun but all she really wants is just to be free. What happens when the the two lock eyes and are immediately drawn to each other?
The relationship between Mirela and Claire is so tender, precious and beautiful. The way they care for each other is just to die for. I love them so much.
However, that being said, I do think their relationship is
bit too insta-lovey for my personal taste. I would have enjoyed it more if it went a bit slower (I am a sucker for some good yearning so that's usually why I don't fully vibe with "insta-love").
I think overall I just wish there was a bit more of everything. But that being said it's a good, fast paced novella that's quick to get through. I definitely recommend checking it out if you're in the mood for something easy to read that is heartwarming and cute but also touch some heavier elements.
I can't wait to have a look at the authors other works!
July 1, 2026
3.6 ⭐️ If you want a short sapphic retelling, I definitely think this is worth a read.
Like many novellas, I did feel like this struggled with pacing which at times made it hard to connect with parts of the book like the romance.
Saying that, I really enjoyed the feminine rage aspect and the focus on the MCs growth through what she was taught to accept.
I do feel like it did justice to The Hunchback of Notre Dame, but I also felt like it needed to be a full length novel to truly explore the impact of the themes. Either way, I flew through this and would read it again because I enjoyed Gonzales’ writing style.
Rep// sapphic MC with burn scars who is blind in one eye, sapphic MC. Central romance is WLW / sapphic.
TWs listed below, please skip if you don’t want vague spoilers.
TW// themes of fires, burning, and death in fires, emotional abuse and being held captive, religious trauma, trauma.
Like many novellas, I did feel like this struggled with pacing which at times made it hard to connect with parts of the book like the romance.
Saying that, I really enjoyed the feminine rage aspect and the focus on the MCs growth through what she was taught to accept.
I do feel like it did justice to The Hunchback of Notre Dame, but I also felt like it needed to be a full length novel to truly explore the impact of the themes. Either way, I flew through this and would read it again because I enjoyed Gonzales’ writing style.
Rep// sapphic MC with burn scars who is blind in one eye, sapphic MC. Central romance is WLW / sapphic.
TWs listed below, please skip if you don’t want vague spoilers.
TW// themes of fires, burning, and death in fires, emotional abuse and being held captive, religious trauma, trauma.
April 10, 2026
This is a quick and easy read.
July 7, 2026
ALC Review 🎧
This story surprised me with its dark, melancholic atmosphere. The gothic setting, inspired by The Hunchback of Notre Dame, creates the perfect backdrop for a forbidden romance that unfolds at a slow but emotional pace.
I really enjoyed watching Mirela and Claire’s relationship develop and seeing how they found hope despite the pain and trauma they carried. While the story felt a little slow at times, the emotional depth and beautiful writing made it worth the journey.
If you enjoy gothic romances, slow burns, and character-driven stories with emotionally complex protagonists, I definitely recommend giving this one a try.
🎧 The audiobook narration was amazing.
This story surprised me with its dark, melancholic atmosphere. The gothic setting, inspired by The Hunchback of Notre Dame, creates the perfect backdrop for a forbidden romance that unfolds at a slow but emotional pace.
I really enjoyed watching Mirela and Claire’s relationship develop and seeing how they found hope despite the pain and trauma they carried. While the story felt a little slow at times, the emotional depth and beautiful writing made it worth the journey.
If you enjoy gothic romances, slow burns, and character-driven stories with emotionally complex protagonists, I definitely recommend giving this one a try.
🎧 The audiobook narration was amazing.
June 26, 2026
4.5 Stars.
I really do love a retelling! And this was really good. I really enjoyed it and I tandem read with the audiobook. The narrator did a brilliant job of telling the story and also giving the characters life.
I felt so bad for Mirela and Claire, they were both stuck in a situation they both would never have chosen themselves. Them discovering each other was so beautiful! This was a fairly short book and packed in so much but I definitely wanted more 😂
Written in Third Person with 2x POV’s. Narrated by Auri Alden. Hunchback of Notre Dame retelling, Nun/Bell Ringer, Slow Burn, Forbidden Romance, Sapphic. 1x Spicy Scene.
I was given a ALC via Podium, thank you! Above is my own and honest review.
I really do love a retelling! And this was really good. I really enjoyed it and I tandem read with the audiobook. The narrator did a brilliant job of telling the story and also giving the characters life.
I felt so bad for Mirela and Claire, they were both stuck in a situation they both would never have chosen themselves. Them discovering each other was so beautiful! This was a fairly short book and packed in so much but I definitely wanted more 😂
Written in Third Person with 2x POV’s. Narrated by Auri Alden. Hunchback of Notre Dame retelling, Nun/Bell Ringer, Slow Burn, Forbidden Romance, Sapphic. 1x Spicy Scene.
I was given a ALC via Podium, thank you! Above is my own and honest review.
August 5, 2026
3 Stars⭐
Thank you, Podium Entertainment, for the ALC!❤️
While I was really looking forward to this sapphic retelling of the Hunchback of Notre Dame, I think it was a timing issue for me. The audiobook struggled to maintain my attention, but I've had a lot going on. That's 100% on me!!! Whenever I get the chance, I need to a re-listen because I did enjoy the parts of the story I managed to catch and process. For now, I'm just going to leave the rating at 3 stars until I can come back to it. Quick shout out to Auri Alden for the WONDERFUL narration of the story!<3
Thank you, Podium Entertainment, for the ALC!❤️
While I was really looking forward to this sapphic retelling of the Hunchback of Notre Dame, I think it was a timing issue for me. The audiobook struggled to maintain my attention, but I've had a lot going on. That's 100% on me!!! Whenever I get the chance, I need to a re-listen because I did enjoy the parts of the story I managed to catch and process. For now, I'm just going to leave the rating at 3 stars until I can come back to it. Quick shout out to Auri Alden for the WONDERFUL narration of the story!<3
February 19, 2026
(ARC Review) A Whisper of Bells and Prayers
A Sapphic retelling of The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
Love was never her calling, until she heard her voice in the dark.
Mirela, a bell ringer, is kept hidden away in the cathedral by her master, Judge Ferron, his intention being that he’s “protecting” her. Aside from tolling the bells, she longs to see the outside world that she draws about from the bell tower.
Claire, a nun, living a life that she didn’t willingly choose, but was forced into by her family to keep her freedom restrained. Aside from now living in the convent and adapting to their routines, she longs to express her love for singing and dancing freely.
Set in Notre Dame, one day while Mirela hides in the shadows of the cathedral, she suddenly hears a beautiful voice in the choir that she’s never heard before, Claire. From that moment, something is ignited within Mirela, to know who this beautiful nun is that she’s never seen before. Claire having noticed someone in the shadows, something is also ignited within her, to discover who is the mysterious figure that was watching her while she sang. When they finally meet, they have no idea just how much they will end up falling for each other…
I was able to finish it within 2 days and while I was reading it, I loved the slow burn pace that the book was going. The pace was absolutely perfect. After every chapter, I was left invested in wanting to read more. I honestly couldn’t put it down. The story is in a Duet 3rd POV. I absolutely loved how after every encounter, they were slowly finding comfort and solace within each other. I loved how Claire helped Mirela to slowly open up to her and showed her genuine kindness, love, and affection that she’d never received before. I also loved the spice, with the fact that Claire tended to Mirela so beautifully with such tenderness, knowing that she was a virgin. When I read the epilogue, I got a bit emotional because of how it was beautifully written. After finishing it, it was such a bittersweet feeling. The reason being was that I was sad that I finished the book due to how much I fell in love with it and how much I wanted more of the story. However, I was also happy with the ending that the girls got, especially with their heartbreaking backstories. The way that I fell in love with Claire and Mirela’s relationship, ugh my heart! They both deserved all the love and happiness in the world and I’m so happy that they found it with each other, feeling free and accepted.
“You don’t have to hide from me… Mirela, you’re beautiful.” - Claire
“You are God sent. Just for me to have.” - Mirela
Tropes
- Sapphic romance
- Retelling of The Hunchback of Notre Dame
- Bell Ringer x Nun
- Virgin FMC
- Touch-starved
- Slow-burn
- Happily Ever After
Overall Rating: 5/5
Spice level 2/5
A Sapphic retelling of The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
Love was never her calling, until she heard her voice in the dark.
Mirela, a bell ringer, is kept hidden away in the cathedral by her master, Judge Ferron, his intention being that he’s “protecting” her. Aside from tolling the bells, she longs to see the outside world that she draws about from the bell tower.
Claire, a nun, living a life that she didn’t willingly choose, but was forced into by her family to keep her freedom restrained. Aside from now living in the convent and adapting to their routines, she longs to express her love for singing and dancing freely.
Set in Notre Dame, one day while Mirela hides in the shadows of the cathedral, she suddenly hears a beautiful voice in the choir that she’s never heard before, Claire. From that moment, something is ignited within Mirela, to know who this beautiful nun is that she’s never seen before. Claire having noticed someone in the shadows, something is also ignited within her, to discover who is the mysterious figure that was watching her while she sang. When they finally meet, they have no idea just how much they will end up falling for each other…
I was able to finish it within 2 days and while I was reading it, I loved the slow burn pace that the book was going. The pace was absolutely perfect. After every chapter, I was left invested in wanting to read more. I honestly couldn’t put it down. The story is in a Duet 3rd POV. I absolutely loved how after every encounter, they were slowly finding comfort and solace within each other. I loved how Claire helped Mirela to slowly open up to her and showed her genuine kindness, love, and affection that she’d never received before. I also loved the spice, with the fact that Claire tended to Mirela so beautifully with such tenderness, knowing that she was a virgin. When I read the epilogue, I got a bit emotional because of how it was beautifully written. After finishing it, it was such a bittersweet feeling. The reason being was that I was sad that I finished the book due to how much I fell in love with it and how much I wanted more of the story. However, I was also happy with the ending that the girls got, especially with their heartbreaking backstories. The way that I fell in love with Claire and Mirela’s relationship, ugh my heart! They both deserved all the love and happiness in the world and I’m so happy that they found it with each other, feeling free and accepted.
“You don’t have to hide from me… Mirela, you’re beautiful.” - Claire
“You are God sent. Just for me to have.” - Mirela
Tropes
- Sapphic romance
- Retelling of The Hunchback of Notre Dame
- Bell Ringer x Nun
- Virgin FMC
- Touch-starved
- Slow-burn
- Happily Ever After
Overall Rating: 5/5
Spice level 2/5
April 13, 2026
Nice concept but the writing is rough - lots of grammatical mistakes, repetition, and the dialogue constantly switches between modern and period-accurate.
April 6, 2026
I absolutely loved this book. A sapphic retelling of The Hunchback of Notre Dame? I was already sold—and it truly delivered.
A Whisper of Bells and Prayers felt hauntingly beautiful from beginning to end. There’s such a deep sense of longing woven into the story—it’s soft, aching, and constant in a way that really stays with you.
Mirela’s story broke my heart. The abuse, the isolation, being kept captive… you can feel how much she’s been deprived of light and kindness. And that’s what made Claire so special—she wasn’t just love, she was hope. The way Mirela needed someone like her to brighten her world just hit so deeply.
And the Judge? Absolutely disgusting and abominable. I hated him with my whole chest, which honestly just shows how well he was written.
The ending was so beautiful. It felt right, emotional, and meaningful without dragging on. It’s a short book, and I was genuinely sad when it ended—but I also love that the author didn’t try to stretch it out. It proves you don’t need 400+ pages to tell a powerful, unforgettable story.
I'm so happy I bought this. This one will definitely stay with me. Can't wait to read more of C.C. González books.
A Whisper of Bells and Prayers felt hauntingly beautiful from beginning to end. There’s such a deep sense of longing woven into the story—it’s soft, aching, and constant in a way that really stays with you.
Mirela’s story broke my heart. The abuse, the isolation, being kept captive… you can feel how much she’s been deprived of light and kindness. And that’s what made Claire so special—she wasn’t just love, she was hope. The way Mirela needed someone like her to brighten her world just hit so deeply.
And the Judge? Absolutely disgusting and abominable. I hated him with my whole chest, which honestly just shows how well he was written.
The ending was so beautiful. It felt right, emotional, and meaningful without dragging on. It’s a short book, and I was genuinely sad when it ended—but I also love that the author didn’t try to stretch it out. It proves you don’t need 400+ pages to tell a powerful, unforgettable story.
I'm so happy I bought this. This one will definitely stay with me. Can't wait to read more of C.C. González books.
June 30, 2026
3.5 stars
I enjoyed the premise of this book, with a nun and a ward of an evil priest who was severely scarred. They both embraced their sexualities and had to process their lack of faith in the religion they were raised in. I would have liked a bit more time for Mirela to open up to Claire.
Spice: 3/5
Triggers: religious trauma, physical abuse, emotional and psychological abuse, poor self image, homophobia, purity culture, fire, death in fire, burns, attempted murder, murder, misogyny, confinement
I enjoyed the premise of this book, with a nun and a ward of an evil priest who was severely scarred. They both embraced their sexualities and had to process their lack of faith in the religion they were raised in. I would have liked a bit more time for Mirela to open up to Claire.
Spice: 3/5
Triggers: religious trauma, physical abuse, emotional and psychological abuse, poor self image, homophobia, purity culture, fire, death in fire, burns, attempted murder, murder, misogyny, confinement
June 4, 2026
Hunchback retelling, sapphic, and a novella? My favorites words all together, working as one.
This was fierce!! I’ll always eat up religious angst, especially when it’s gay. What can I say, I’m nothing if not predictable.
This was fierce!! I’ll always eat up religious angst, especially when it’s gay. What can I say, I’m nothing if not predictable.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I ended up pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to immerse myself in the story. There were moments of joy, moments of indignation and disgust, moments of fear, and moments when I had to ask Jesus for forgiveness for reading this during Lent.
Imprisonment can take many forms, but some spirits like Claire’s and Mirela’s cannot be contained. I liked them right away. Claire has a deep longing for freedom, and the care she shows Mirela is heartwarming. Mirela activates my protection mode, but make no mistake, she is a strong one.
Their relationship is slow, full of care and longing. I was rooting for them so hard. On the other hand, Claude Ferron and Sister Margareth can rot in a ditch for all I care.
I can’t finish this review without talking about C.C. Gonzalez’s writing. The universe and characters she creates always make you long for more. Also, she really knows how to write a good worship, damn.
A Whisper of Bells and Prayers made me want to read Hunchback of Notre Dame, even if I’m not sure the latter will outdo the former.
Imprisonment can take many forms, but some spirits like Claire’s and Mirela’s cannot be contained. I liked them right away. Claire has a deep longing for freedom, and the care she shows Mirela is heartwarming. Mirela activates my protection mode, but make no mistake, she is a strong one.
Their relationship is slow, full of care and longing. I was rooting for them so hard. On the other hand, Claude Ferron and Sister Margareth can rot in a ditch for all I care.
I can’t finish this review without talking about C.C. Gonzalez’s writing. The universe and characters she creates always make you long for more. Also, she really knows how to write a good worship, damn.
A Whisper of Bells and Prayers made me want to read Hunchback of Notre Dame, even if I’m not sure the latter will outdo the former.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 out of five stars!
Disclaimer: Thank you, C.C. González for the eARC. I received an eARC at no cost, and I'm voluntarily leaving a review. I'd also like to let you know that I’m on C. C. Gonzalez’s street team.
I really, really enjoyed this novella! The characterizations of Mirela and Claire were superb. The romance was tender, sweet, and beautiful. I was fully convinced of the romantic and emotional chemistry between Mirela and Claire. While the characters save themselves, their love gave them the push to fight for a better future and life. Sensitivity and care were taken when writing this story. Standout moments of this included writing about religious trauma, Mirela’s burns, abuse, and the wanderers in the story. While watching The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a plus, this retelling, stands on its own!
A couple of things to note: as this is a novella, the "slow-burn" felt like more of a regular burn to me. This might be because I've been spoiled by truly epic standalone slow burns such as The Maiden and Her Monster by Maddie Martinez and The End Crowns All by Bea Fitzgerald. Additionally, I would've like to have seen more of the events between the time of the penultimate chapter to the epilogue.
Disclaimer: Thank you, C.C. González for the eARC. I received an eARC at no cost, and I'm voluntarily leaving a review. I'd also like to let you know that I’m on C. C. Gonzalez’s street team.
I really, really enjoyed this novella! The characterizations of Mirela and Claire were superb. The romance was tender, sweet, and beautiful. I was fully convinced of the romantic and emotional chemistry between Mirela and Claire. While the characters save themselves, their love gave them the push to fight for a better future and life. Sensitivity and care were taken when writing this story. Standout moments of this included writing about religious trauma, Mirela’s burns, abuse, and the wanderers in the story. While watching The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a plus, this retelling, stands on its own!
A couple of things to note: as this is a novella, the "slow-burn" felt like more of a regular burn to me. This might be because I've been spoiled by truly epic standalone slow burns such as The Maiden and Her Monster by Maddie Martinez and The End Crowns All by Bea Fitzgerald. Additionally, I would've like to have seen more of the events between the time of the penultimate chapter to the epilogue.
February 25, 2026
Thanks to the author for sharing an ARC copy of this book!
I loved every single second I spent reading this book. I am beyond captivated by Mirela and Claire’s story. The author crafted a beautiful story centered around two characters that are so different and yet so similar in many ways. Their romance felt organic, truthful and meaningful. The yearning and longing warmed my heart. Everything in this book is simply perfect.
The only thing that I dislike is how fast I was done reading. I could lost myself in the beauty of its pages again and again. If you’re a fan of the Hunchback of Notre Dame, then this sapphic retelling is definitely for you.
I loved every single second I spent reading this book. I am beyond captivated by Mirela and Claire’s story. The author crafted a beautiful story centered around two characters that are so different and yet so similar in many ways. Their romance felt organic, truthful and meaningful. The yearning and longing warmed my heart. Everything in this book is simply perfect.
The only thing that I dislike is how fast I was done reading. I could lost myself in the beauty of its pages again and again. If you’re a fan of the Hunchback of Notre Dame, then this sapphic retelling is definitely for you.
March 13, 2026
Many thanks to the author for providing me an advanced copy for an honest review!
With the Hunchback of Notre Dame being one of my favorite Disney movies, I was super excited about being able to read this! This was a fantastic and quick little read and became the palette cleanser that I didn’t know I needed.
As far as the construction of the characters and plot, I love that there were enough subtle differences that I didn’t always know what was going to happen next! I love that she wrote it as though “Esmeralda” was her mom instead of the other FMC. Was not expecting that and was totally there for it! The derangement of Ferron was SPOT ON for Frollo. I also always swoon for a “touch her and die” trope. Chef’s kiss. Delicious.
There is one full spicy scene in this book and it is masterfully done. There isn’t anything crazy while still being mouthwateringly sexy. The awe and wonder of Mirela’s first-time experience is written soooo good!
I thoroughly enjoyed this and can’t wait to read whatever else Miss C.C. decides to write next. I fell in love with her writing with Curse of the Goddess and she continues to not disappoint. 5 stars!⭐️
With the Hunchback of Notre Dame being one of my favorite Disney movies, I was super excited about being able to read this! This was a fantastic and quick little read and became the palette cleanser that I didn’t know I needed.
As far as the construction of the characters and plot, I love that there were enough subtle differences that I didn’t always know what was going to happen next! I love that she wrote it as though “Esmeralda” was her mom instead of the other FMC. Was not expecting that and was totally there for it! The derangement of Ferron was SPOT ON for Frollo. I also always swoon for a “touch her and die” trope. Chef’s kiss. Delicious.
There is one full spicy scene in this book and it is masterfully done. There isn’t anything crazy while still being mouthwateringly sexy. The awe and wonder of Mirela’s first-time experience is written soooo good!
I thoroughly enjoyed this and can’t wait to read whatever else Miss C.C. decides to write next. I fell in love with her writing with Curse of the Goddess and she continues to not disappoint. 5 stars!⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was actually not what I was expecting at all, in the BEST way, maybe it would have helped if I understood the story of the Hunchback of Notre Dame, because I knew that this book was partly based (?) rewritten (?) from it, but hey I still managed to really really enjoy it, like a lot. Also when I read that the main setting was actually the Notre Dame? THAT IS SO COOL!! Maybe I should have read the book description more, but I kind of enjoyed the not knowing honestly.
ANYWAY, I loved the story. Mirela lives in the rafters (?) upstairs in the Notre Dame, where nobody else is allowed to go, she stays in the shadows and in her little room, this is to keep her ‘safe from the world’, she is ‘fed’ and ‘clothed’ by some guy who visits her sometimes, it’s hard to talk about anything else without spoiling the story but I am sure I got the point across, anyway the point is Mirela equals trapped and alone and basically doesn’t know anything of the outside world besides what she observes from either her window or the upstairs corridors looking down on the main church. BUT DO NOT WORRY! Mirela is looking down one day and hears a brand new beautiful voice in the choir, CLAIRES VOICE! And because of the beauty of it all, Mirela forgets to hide, so Claire sees her, then neither of them can get each other out of their minds.
Okay that’s the main storyline explained, so now I can talk about why I loved it! Stories with religion have a… place that is in the opposite of my heart, so when the first page was basically exactly how I feel, I knew this book was gonna be a win, a book for me, a book that SPEAKS. I was not disappointed. Mirelas story is sad and heartbreaking yes, but it is such a good read, Claire is exactly what Mirela needed and it’s SO good to read the entire experience. I literally can not say more on the story without spoiling but please believe me this book is GOOD!
The characters are written so well, the villain is written PERFECTLY, you hate him from the get go and you can literally feel what Mirela feels when they interact, it’s written SO good, and then whenever Claire appears it literally is like the sun starts shining in the story, every time.
It is SO GOOD.
I haven’t even talked about the romance, THE ROMANCE!! The spice is everything, this book kind of feels different for this author, it’s more of a slow burn, but you can FEEL the want between the characters and then eventually BAM, it’s perfect. Nothing is too soon, nothing is unrealistic, it feels perfectly timed and just a perfect experience for both characters.
From the Romance to the Manipulation, that’s also really well written, and it has real effects on Mirela, and it doesn’t suddenly disappear either, it’s really well written, and Claire has a real uphill climb to undo it all. Thank you for this arc and I really enjoyed this read, Thank you!
ANYWAY, I loved the story. Mirela lives in the rafters (?) upstairs in the Notre Dame, where nobody else is allowed to go, she stays in the shadows and in her little room, this is to keep her ‘safe from the world’, she is ‘fed’ and ‘clothed’ by some guy who visits her sometimes, it’s hard to talk about anything else without spoiling the story but I am sure I got the point across, anyway the point is Mirela equals trapped and alone and basically doesn’t know anything of the outside world besides what she observes from either her window or the upstairs corridors looking down on the main church. BUT DO NOT WORRY! Mirela is looking down one day and hears a brand new beautiful voice in the choir, CLAIRES VOICE! And because of the beauty of it all, Mirela forgets to hide, so Claire sees her, then neither of them can get each other out of their minds.
Okay that’s the main storyline explained, so now I can talk about why I loved it! Stories with religion have a… place that is in the opposite of my heart, so when the first page was basically exactly how I feel, I knew this book was gonna be a win, a book for me, a book that SPEAKS. I was not disappointed. Mirelas story is sad and heartbreaking yes, but it is such a good read, Claire is exactly what Mirela needed and it’s SO good to read the entire experience. I literally can not say more on the story without spoiling but please believe me this book is GOOD!
The characters are written so well, the villain is written PERFECTLY, you hate him from the get go and you can literally feel what Mirela feels when they interact, it’s written SO good, and then whenever Claire appears it literally is like the sun starts shining in the story, every time.
It is SO GOOD.
I haven’t even talked about the romance, THE ROMANCE!! The spice is everything, this book kind of feels different for this author, it’s more of a slow burn, but you can FEEL the want between the characters and then eventually BAM, it’s perfect. Nothing is too soon, nothing is unrealistic, it feels perfectly timed and just a perfect experience for both characters.
From the Romance to the Manipulation, that’s also really well written, and it has real effects on Mirela, and it doesn’t suddenly disappear either, it’s really well written, and Claire has a real uphill climb to undo it all. Thank you for this arc and I really enjoyed this read, Thank you!
Review of advance copy received from Autor
En serio quería que me gustara más, pero a pesar de ser tan corto, tuve que esforzarme por terminarlo.
A ver, no seré injusta, la historia es linda, es romántica, la tensión entre las protagonistas está muy bien construida y es la parte que más me gustó de todo, así que si eso es lo que buscas, ignorá mi reseña, yo te super recomiendo este libro si solo buscas un romance ¿ok?, no te fies del rating que le di porque eso es muy personal.
Ahora si, mis problemas con esta lectura:
En primer lugar, no entiendo el uso de los puntos de vista diferente cuando no tienen realmente voz propia.
En segundo, el villano está muy poco desarrollado, y el conflicto moral que tiene es muy superficial.
En tercero, aparece mucho el vicio de contarte y explicarte en vez de mostrarte los sentimientos de las protagonistas, lo que hizo que no pudiera conectar mucho.
Cuarto, la atmósfera gótica también me pareció superficial. No basta con nombrar y enlistar elementos de la catedral para que esta cobre vida y tenga la presencia que tiene en la novela de Victor Hugo y en la película de Disney.
Me aburrí de contar pero creo que mi principal problema con el libro es que me leí a Víctor Hugo, y sencillamente esperaba más. Entiendo que nunca se vende como un retelling de Victor Hugo, si no de la película de Disney, pero la película de Disney no nació de un repollo, y se podría haber hecho una investigación más profunda, cuando se está referenciando un material preexistente. Por ejemplo, se menciona que Claire tiene la piel oscura, pero nunca se habla de su trasfondo cultural, incluso la cabra se llama Djali, que es un nombre con un origen que nada que ver con Francia y es mencionado a la ligera como una referencia y ya.
El lenguaje a veces parece olvidarse de que está ambientado en Francia a fines de la edad media, los personajes hacen cosas que no harían en esa época.
Y por último, la relación de las protagonistas pasa muy rápido del deseo a la devocion. Tienen un momento de conexión que es rarísimo como se hablan para lo poco que se conocen. Se supone que era una escena emocional y no me gustó para nada.
Tal vez mi experiencia estuvo inevitablemente atravesada por haber leído la novela original. Aun así, creo que cuando se hace referencia explícita a un universo tan cargado de significado, el texto necesita sostener algo más que la estética. En mi caso, no logró hacerlo. Creo que a mucha gente le puede gustar, es una historia muy bonita, pero no es mi caso, lamentablemente.
A ver, no seré injusta, la historia es linda, es romántica, la tensión entre las protagonistas está muy bien construida y es la parte que más me gustó de todo, así que si eso es lo que buscas, ignorá mi reseña, yo te super recomiendo este libro si solo buscas un romance ¿ok?, no te fies del rating que le di porque eso es muy personal.
Ahora si, mis problemas con esta lectura:
En primer lugar, no entiendo el uso de los puntos de vista diferente cuando no tienen realmente voz propia.
En segundo, el villano está muy poco desarrollado, y el conflicto moral que tiene es muy superficial.
En tercero, aparece mucho el vicio de contarte y explicarte en vez de mostrarte los sentimientos de las protagonistas, lo que hizo que no pudiera conectar mucho.
Cuarto, la atmósfera gótica también me pareció superficial. No basta con nombrar y enlistar elementos de la catedral para que esta cobre vida y tenga la presencia que tiene en la novela de Victor Hugo y en la película de Disney.
Me aburrí de contar pero creo que mi principal problema con el libro es que me leí a Víctor Hugo, y sencillamente esperaba más. Entiendo que nunca se vende como un retelling de Victor Hugo, si no de la película de Disney, pero la película de Disney no nació de un repollo, y se podría haber hecho una investigación más profunda, cuando se está referenciando un material preexistente. Por ejemplo, se menciona que Claire tiene la piel oscura, pero nunca se habla de su trasfondo cultural, incluso la cabra se llama Djali, que es un nombre con un origen que nada que ver con Francia y es mencionado a la ligera como una referencia y ya.
El lenguaje a veces parece olvidarse de que está ambientado en Francia a fines de la edad media, los personajes hacen cosas que no harían en esa época.
Y por último, la relación de las protagonistas pasa muy rápido del deseo a la devocion. Tienen un momento de conexión que es rarísimo como se hablan para lo poco que se conocen. Se supone que era una escena emocional y no me gustó para nada.
Tal vez mi experiencia estuvo inevitablemente atravesada por haber leído la novela original. Aun así, creo que cuando se hace referencia explícita a un universo tan cargado de significado, el texto necesita sostener algo más que la estética. En mi caso, no logró hacerlo. Creo que a mucha gente le puede gustar, es una historia muy bonita, pero no es mi caso, lamentablemente.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A Whisper of Bells & Prayers by C.C. González was an interesting, sapphic take on The Hunchback of Notre Dame. The novella was well-written and atmospheric, making it easy to become immersed in this gothic tale, with its dark themes of cruelty and obsession in medieval Paris.
The relationship between Mirela, the scarred and hidden bellringer, and Claire, the woman abandoned by her family to the convent, is a bit of an insta-lust/love dynamic as both women seek to fill a deep, desperate desire for acceptance and belonging. The two love interests bond over shared feelings of being imprisoned by unjust circumstances.
The tension between the two is thick, and the suspense of the forbidden relationship created an aura of danger that kept me on edge. The villain is vicious and easy to hate. This story includes first-time/first-time-with-a-woman smut along with a possessive 'touch-her-and-die' vibe. The ending was explosive and satisfying.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and the dark, twisty plot.
Quoteworthy:
"They taught me to love God. They never said what to do when I found something holier."
"...silence claimed her again. It pressed against her ribs until she whispered to the stones just to hear a voice. She spoke to herself, to the saints, the pigeons, the gargoyles…"
To her, love was soft and tender, a loving caress to a broken soul, a promise of companionship through anything. Love was freedom, pleasure, warmth…"
"She sang not for God, but to fill the hollow ache of her solitude. She sang because silence and loneliness had become unbearable."
"Claire was a goddess among women, and if there really was a God, she knew that He had picked her specifically for Mirela to apologize for all the things she had been through. Apology accepted."
'“Oh, Mirela,” she murmured. “I am far from being God.” She leaned closer, her voice lowering. “But before this night ends,” she added, “I will have you saying my name as if it were the holiest prayer.”'
#gothic #Paris #France #medieval #NotreDame #bellringer #nun #injustice #patriarchy #religiousoppression #cathedral #convent #hurtcomfort #touchheranddie #firsttime #firsttimewithawoman
#instalove #instalust #spicy #smut #HEA #epilogue
I received a review copy from the author. This is my honest opinion.
The relationship between Mirela, the scarred and hidden bellringer, and Claire, the woman abandoned by her family to the convent, is a bit of an insta-lust/love dynamic as both women seek to fill a deep, desperate desire for acceptance and belonging. The two love interests bond over shared feelings of being imprisoned by unjust circumstances.
The tension between the two is thick, and the suspense of the forbidden relationship created an aura of danger that kept me on edge. The villain is vicious and easy to hate. This story includes first-time/first-time-with-a-woman smut along with a possessive 'touch-her-and-die' vibe. The ending was explosive and satisfying.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and the dark, twisty plot.
Quoteworthy:
"They taught me to love God. They never said what to do when I found something holier."
"...silence claimed her again. It pressed against her ribs until she whispered to the stones just to hear a voice. She spoke to herself, to the saints, the pigeons, the gargoyles…"
To her, love was soft and tender, a loving caress to a broken soul, a promise of companionship through anything. Love was freedom, pleasure, warmth…"
"She sang not for God, but to fill the hollow ache of her solitude. She sang because silence and loneliness had become unbearable."
"Claire was a goddess among women, and if there really was a God, she knew that He had picked her specifically for Mirela to apologize for all the things she had been through. Apology accepted."
'“Oh, Mirela,” she murmured. “I am far from being God.” She leaned closer, her voice lowering. “But before this night ends,” she added, “I will have you saying my name as if it were the holiest prayer.”'
#gothic #Paris #France #medieval #NotreDame #bellringer #nun #injustice #patriarchy #religiousoppression #cathedral #convent #hurtcomfort #touchheranddie #firsttime #firsttimewithawoman
#instalove #instalust #spicy #smut #HEA #epilogue
I received a review copy from the author. This is my honest opinion.
April 4, 2026
This is a beautifully crafted sapphic retelling of The Hunchback of Notre Dame that completely drew me in. The author weaves in subtle nods to the original story, which added an extra layer of depth and familiarity while still making this tale feel entirely its own.
What truly stood out to me was the chemistry between the main characters. Their connection felt genuine and tender, and the development of their relationship was handled with care, allowing it to grow in a way that felt both natural and emotionally resonant. Watching their love unfold was one of the most captivating aspects of the story.
At its core, this book explores deeply relatable themes of self-worth and the damaging effects of toxic “family” relationships. It captures that painful reality of feeling like you’re not enough, especially when someone in your life reinforces that belief, and the struggle of breaking free from that mindset. But more importantly, it offers hope. It reminds us that there are people who will see through the walls we build, who will recognize our value even when we can’t, and who will love us not despite our scars, but because they are part of who we are.
Thank you C.C. González for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
—————————
Esta es una reinterpretación sáfica de El Jorobado de Notre Dame, bellamente escrita, que me cautivó por completo. La autora incorpora sutiles referencias a la historia original, lo que le añade profundidad y familiaridad, sin dejar de darle un toque personal.
Lo que más me impactó fue la química entre las protagonistas. Su conexión se sentía genuina y tierna, y el desarrollo de su relación se manejó con delicadeza, permitiendo que creciera de forma natural y conmovedora. Presenciar el florecimiento de su amor fue uno de los aspectos más fascinantes de la historia.
En esencia, este libro explora temas profundamente universales como la autoestima y los efectos dañinos de las relaciones tóxicas en el ámbito “familiar”. Captura la dolorosa realidad de sentirse insuficiente, especialmente cuando alguien en tu vida refuerza esa creencia, y la lucha por liberarse de esa mentalidad. Pero, sobre todo, ofrece esperanza. Nos recuerda que hay personas que verán más allá de los muros que construimos, que reconocerán nuestro valor incluso cuando nosotras mismas no podamos, y que nos amarán no a pesar de nuestras cicatrices, sino porque son parte de quienes somos.
Gracias a C.C. González por el ARC a cambio de una reseña honesta.
What truly stood out to me was the chemistry between the main characters. Their connection felt genuine and tender, and the development of their relationship was handled with care, allowing it to grow in a way that felt both natural and emotionally resonant. Watching their love unfold was one of the most captivating aspects of the story.
At its core, this book explores deeply relatable themes of self-worth and the damaging effects of toxic “family” relationships. It captures that painful reality of feeling like you’re not enough, especially when someone in your life reinforces that belief, and the struggle of breaking free from that mindset. But more importantly, it offers hope. It reminds us that there are people who will see through the walls we build, who will recognize our value even when we can’t, and who will love us not despite our scars, but because they are part of who we are.
Thank you C.C. González for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
—————————
Esta es una reinterpretación sáfica de El Jorobado de Notre Dame, bellamente escrita, que me cautivó por completo. La autora incorpora sutiles referencias a la historia original, lo que le añade profundidad y familiaridad, sin dejar de darle un toque personal.
Lo que más me impactó fue la química entre las protagonistas. Su conexión se sentía genuina y tierna, y el desarrollo de su relación se manejó con delicadeza, permitiendo que creciera de forma natural y conmovedora. Presenciar el florecimiento de su amor fue uno de los aspectos más fascinantes de la historia.
En esencia, este libro explora temas profundamente universales como la autoestima y los efectos dañinos de las relaciones tóxicas en el ámbito “familiar”. Captura la dolorosa realidad de sentirse insuficiente, especialmente cuando alguien en tu vida refuerza esa creencia, y la lucha por liberarse de esa mentalidad. Pero, sobre todo, ofrece esperanza. Nos recuerda que hay personas que verán más allá de los muros que construimos, que reconocerán nuestro valor incluso cuando nosotras mismas no podamos, y que nos amarán no a pesar de nuestras cicatrices, sino porque son parte de quienes somos.
Gracias a C.C. González por el ARC a cambio de una reseña honesta.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC REVIEW
Duel 3rd Person POV. 5🌟 2🌶️. 177 pages
1 devastatingly beautiful spice scene
This book was so heart achingly beautiful, I would give it 10 stars if I could. A Whisper of Bells and Prayers is a sapphic gothic retelling of The Hunchback of Notre Dame and while the original inspiration was never a favourite of mine, this novella definitely is.
AWOBAP follows Mirela a woman kept captive in the bell tower of Notre Dame by a man that has lied to her and kept her pliant through fear. Until one day she hears the voice of an angel. Claire is a nun, forced into the habit by her parents despite just wanting to be free. When fate intervenes and the two meet, an instant connection of understanding and kindness blooms.
Honestly I adored absolutely everything about this book. The writing is almost lyrical in nature, it’s a heart warming and yet heart breaking story of the lust for freedom and desire to be accepted. Both FMCs are so adoringly written that you almost want to reach into the story and wrap them both in bubble wrap. You can instantly tell that the original inspiration has a special place in C.C Gonzales’s heart through the love and passion you can feel in the pages. This will definitely be a book I will re-read again and again.
A Whisper of Bells and Prayers will be released April 3rd. If you’re a fan of the original Hunchback of Notre Dame or even if you aren’t, pick this up. I can almost guarantee you’ll be a fan of this beautiful retelling!
Things to LOVE:
✨Hunchback of Notre Dame Retelling
✨Captive Bell Ringer + Rebel Nun
✨Slow Burn
✨Touch Starved & Virgin FMC
✨Longing & Yearning
✨Religious Iconography & Trauma
✨HEA
Duel 3rd Person POV. 5🌟 2🌶️. 177 pages
1 devastatingly beautiful spice scene
This book was so heart achingly beautiful, I would give it 10 stars if I could. A Whisper of Bells and Prayers is a sapphic gothic retelling of The Hunchback of Notre Dame and while the original inspiration was never a favourite of mine, this novella definitely is.
AWOBAP follows Mirela a woman kept captive in the bell tower of Notre Dame by a man that has lied to her and kept her pliant through fear. Until one day she hears the voice of an angel. Claire is a nun, forced into the habit by her parents despite just wanting to be free. When fate intervenes and the two meet, an instant connection of understanding and kindness blooms.
Honestly I adored absolutely everything about this book. The writing is almost lyrical in nature, it’s a heart warming and yet heart breaking story of the lust for freedom and desire to be accepted. Both FMCs are so adoringly written that you almost want to reach into the story and wrap them both in bubble wrap. You can instantly tell that the original inspiration has a special place in C.C Gonzales’s heart through the love and passion you can feel in the pages. This will definitely be a book I will re-read again and again.
A Whisper of Bells and Prayers will be released April 3rd. If you’re a fan of the original Hunchback of Notre Dame or even if you aren’t, pick this up. I can almost guarantee you’ll be a fan of this beautiful retelling!
Things to LOVE:
✨Hunchback of Notre Dame Retelling
✨Captive Bell Ringer + Rebel Nun
✨Slow Burn
✨Touch Starved & Virgin FMC
✨Longing & Yearning
✨Religious Iconography & Trauma
✨HEA
Review of advance copy received from Author
Absolutely the sapphic Hunchback of Notre-Dame retelling I needed! A soft and delicately handled relationship progression between two women who have been held captive their entire lives in different ways, finding solace and belonging in one another.
I couldn’t help but want it to be longer! I always feel this way when novellas are done really well though. I did want a bit more from sister Margaret and another encounter with Ferron to increase the tension and stakes a bit more, but I definitely enjoyed the parts they featured.
A tender and gentle story with a truly loathsome villain, and two FMC’s I was rooting for the whole way.
Plot summary:
Mirela has been confined to the bell tower her whole life, after being ‘saved’ by Ferron, evil church man. Half her body covered in scars from the fire he saved her from, Ferron has made her believe she is a monster who has no place in the outside world.
Along comes Claire, an unwilling nun who was sent to the convent by her family who had nothing else to do with her.
Mirela can’t resist watching Claire sing. Claire can’t resist going to see her. So begins their tender love story.
Things I loved:
- Worship 👀
- Claire’s tenderness
- Mirela’s strength 💪
- HEA
- Touch starved
- Religious trauma
- What happens to Ferron
Overall, a delicately done sapphic retelling of the Hunchback of Notre-Dame with slowburn romance, spice with a captive bell ringer and a reluctant nun, healing, and freedom.
Thank you to author C.C Gonzalez for the ARC in exchange for honest review.
I couldn’t help but want it to be longer! I always feel this way when novellas are done really well though. I did want a bit more from sister Margaret and another encounter with Ferron to increase the tension and stakes a bit more, but I definitely enjoyed the parts they featured.
A tender and gentle story with a truly loathsome villain, and two FMC’s I was rooting for the whole way.
Plot summary:
Mirela has been confined to the bell tower her whole life, after being ‘saved’ by Ferron, evil church man. Half her body covered in scars from the fire he saved her from, Ferron has made her believe she is a monster who has no place in the outside world.
Along comes Claire, an unwilling nun who was sent to the convent by her family who had nothing else to do with her.
Mirela can’t resist watching Claire sing. Claire can’t resist going to see her. So begins their tender love story.
Things I loved:
- Worship 👀
- Claire’s tenderness
- Mirela’s strength 💪
- HEA
- Touch starved
- Religious trauma
- What happens to Ferron
Overall, a delicately done sapphic retelling of the Hunchback of Notre-Dame with slowburn romance, spice with a captive bell ringer and a reluctant nun, healing, and freedom.
Thank you to author C.C Gonzalez for the ARC in exchange for honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 Stars!!!!
I'll be honest... I was a little nervous going into this book. It's a short book, and sometimes with shorter stories, I struggle to really connect with the characters. But wow, I didn't need to worry at all. Gonzalez had me completely hooked from the first chapter. I fell in love with the characters instantly, and I have no regrets!
The world-building was beautifully detailed. The way Paris was described felt so vivid and atmospheric that I could picture everything so clearly in my mind. It wasn't overly detailed in a heavy way, just immersive enough to make me feel like I was there.
The story itself was gripping the whole way through. I didn't feel bored for a second. And the chemistry between the two main protagonists? I loved it. Watching their connection grow and strengthen as they fought for their freedom together was one of my favourite parts. Their relationship felt natural and earned, and it made me even more emotionally invested in what was happening.
My only complaint is that it was over way too quickly. I genuinely just wanted more time with these characters (except Ferron) and this world. That's always the sign of a great book for me, when I'm not ready to let it go.
Overall, I absolutely ate this book up and would 100% recommend it. C.C. Gonzalez has officially become one of my favourite authors, and I'll happily read anything she puts out next.
I'll be honest... I was a little nervous going into this book. It's a short book, and sometimes with shorter stories, I struggle to really connect with the characters. But wow, I didn't need to worry at all. Gonzalez had me completely hooked from the first chapter. I fell in love with the characters instantly, and I have no regrets!
The world-building was beautifully detailed. The way Paris was described felt so vivid and atmospheric that I could picture everything so clearly in my mind. It wasn't overly detailed in a heavy way, just immersive enough to make me feel like I was there.
The story itself was gripping the whole way through. I didn't feel bored for a second. And the chemistry between the two main protagonists? I loved it. Watching their connection grow and strengthen as they fought for their freedom together was one of my favourite parts. Their relationship felt natural and earned, and it made me even more emotionally invested in what was happening.
My only complaint is that it was over way too quickly. I genuinely just wanted more time with these characters (except Ferron) and this world. That's always the sign of a great book for me, when I'm not ready to let it go.
Overall, I absolutely ate this book up and would 100% recommend it. C.C. Gonzalez has officially become one of my favourite authors, and I'll happily read anything she puts out next.
Review of advance copy received from Author
📖 AT A GLANCE
STARS 5 stars
SPICE medium
CHEMISTRY Great
ANGST medium/high
SLOW BURN yes
CLIFFHANGER No
CHARACTERS Mirela and Claire
💬 LINES THAT LIVE RENT-FREE
"You are beautiful" - Claire
"You don't mean that" - Mirela
"I'm a nun. I'm not allowed to lie" - Claire
🖤 MY READING EXPERIENCE
This one wrapped around my heart.
Mirela has lived her whole life in captivity, taught that the outside world is dangerous and she is safer hidden away. Claire is the opposite. Brave. Curious. Willing to step into the unknown.
Watching Mirela choose the world because Claire was in that was everything to me. Two broken souls finding freedom in each other.
🫀CHARACTER THOUGHTS
Claire patiently pulls Mirela into herself, into possibility, into hope.
And Mirela might seem soft, but she has a line. The second someone crossed it and hurt Claire, she moved. Not dramatic. Not loud. Just immediate. That kind of love is powerful.
🔥 MOMENTS I’M STILL THINKING ABOUT
The ending had me frozen. The reveals were layered so well and that final moment left me stunned in the best way.
⚠️ ONE SMALL NOTE
No notes. It was great.
📚 READ THIS IF YOU LOVE…
Sapphic gothic vibes inspired by The Hunchback of Notre Dame; Love that feels like salvation; Quiet characters with hidden strength; Earned and natural revenge
STARS 5 stars
SPICE medium
CHEMISTRY Great
ANGST medium/high
SLOW BURN yes
CLIFFHANGER No
CHARACTERS Mirela and Claire
💬 LINES THAT LIVE RENT-FREE
"You are beautiful" - Claire
"You don't mean that" - Mirela
"I'm a nun. I'm not allowed to lie" - Claire
🖤 MY READING EXPERIENCE
This one wrapped around my heart.
Mirela has lived her whole life in captivity, taught that the outside world is dangerous and she is safer hidden away. Claire is the opposite. Brave. Curious. Willing to step into the unknown.
Watching Mirela choose the world because Claire was in that was everything to me. Two broken souls finding freedom in each other.
🫀CHARACTER THOUGHTS
Claire patiently pulls Mirela into herself, into possibility, into hope.
And Mirela might seem soft, but she has a line. The second someone crossed it and hurt Claire, she moved. Not dramatic. Not loud. Just immediate. That kind of love is powerful.
🔥 MOMENTS I’M STILL THINKING ABOUT
The ending had me frozen. The reveals were layered so well and that final moment left me stunned in the best way.
⚠️ ONE SMALL NOTE
No notes. It was great.
📚 READ THIS IF YOU LOVE…
Sapphic gothic vibes inspired by The Hunchback of Notre Dame; Love that feels like salvation; Quiet characters with hidden strength; Earned and natural revenge
Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews