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Muddy Waters
USA Today bestselling author DV Fischer returns with a dark, forbidden romance packed with taboo desire, sinful temptation, a morally gray pastor, and sizzling opposites-attract tension.
Willow Ashley doesn't do God. She does sin, and she's very, very good at it.
When her best friend finally drags her through the doors of a New Orleans church, Willow expects guilt. Boredom. Maybe lightning. What she doesn't expect is him — Pastor Rowan Elsher, all quiet authority and sculpted jaw, standing at the pulpit like an answer to prayers she's never bothered to say. One look and her mind goes somewhere that would make the saints weep.
Rowan has one rule: never pursue a woman from his congregation. It's the line he swore he'd never cross. But Willow — with her wicked mouth and a past that should send him running — doesn't feel like temptation. She feels like a test he was never meant to pass. He knows what she does to survive. He knows it's wrong to want her anyway.
He wants her anyway.
Some men fall from grace. Rowan is going to dive.
Perfect for fans of H.D. Carlton and Sierra Simone. If you love curvy heroine romance, tortured heroes, pastor/sinner dynamics, and deliciously taboo slow-burn tension, start reading your next obsession.
This book contains dark and explicit content. For a full list of warnings, visit the author's website.
Willow Ashley doesn't do God. She does sin, and she's very, very good at it.
When her best friend finally drags her through the doors of a New Orleans church, Willow expects guilt. Boredom. Maybe lightning. What she doesn't expect is him — Pastor Rowan Elsher, all quiet authority and sculpted jaw, standing at the pulpit like an answer to prayers she's never bothered to say. One look and her mind goes somewhere that would make the saints weep.
Rowan has one rule: never pursue a woman from his congregation. It's the line he swore he'd never cross. But Willow — with her wicked mouth and a past that should send him running — doesn't feel like temptation. She feels like a test he was never meant to pass. He knows what she does to survive. He knows it's wrong to want her anyway.
He wants her anyway.
Some men fall from grace. Rowan is going to dive.
Perfect for fans of H.D. Carlton and Sierra Simone. If you love curvy heroine romance, tortured heroes, pastor/sinner dynamics, and deliciously taboo slow-burn tension, start reading your next obsession.
This book contains dark and explicit content. For a full list of warnings, visit the author's website.
- GenresRomanceDark Romance
250 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 4, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 177 reviews
February 23, 2025
Muddy Waters is a fast-paced read that moves quickly from start to finish. While the writing flows well, the story itself lacks depth. The characters feel two-dimensional, without much development or complexity to make them truly engaging. The plot follows a singular, predictable trajectory with few surprises, making it easy to guess how things will unfold.
For those who enjoy straightforward, easy-to-follow narratives with a happy ending, Muddy Waters delivers exactly that. However, readers looking for layered storytelling, rich character arcs, or unexpected twists may find this one a bit lacking.
For those who enjoy straightforward, easy-to-follow narratives with a happy ending, Muddy Waters delivers exactly that. However, readers looking for layered storytelling, rich character arcs, or unexpected twists may find this one a bit lacking.
March 13, 2023
amazing
DV Fischer does it again with this knock out book, the characters grab you and don’t let go in the best possible way, I pretty much read this book in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down. I absolutely love the relationship between Willow and Rowan, but I also loved Willows relationship with her best friend. Can’t wait to read anything else DV Fischer puts out <3
DV Fischer does it again with this knock out book, the characters grab you and don’t let go in the best possible way, I pretty much read this book in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down. I absolutely love the relationship between Willow and Rowan, but I also loved Willows relationship with her best friend. Can’t wait to read anything else DV Fischer puts out <3
July 17, 2026
This one genuinely touched my heart. I went into this one zero expectations, and if I'm being honest I was skeptical at first. Very unsure which direction this would take.. and not sure how I'd feel about it... by the end I was totally smiling. There's actually a lot of depth and growth within the plot and these characters. Especially Willow. Shout out to Willows best friend for just being there. She didn't push too hard just nudged. And honestly, I even liked Pink. That friendship showcased how difficult a friendship can be.
While Willow and Rowans relationship might be" taboo" I was honestly touched by how their relationship blossomed. There was zero judgement and he completely accepted her and loved her regardless. I absolutely adore how this ended and wrapped up. Team Willow and Rowan all the way.
While this does have spicy scenes I was way more interested in the plot itself.. the love is forbidden and Rowan is determined to do absolutely everything he can to help and save Willow. While this is instant attraction, for me it didn't fall in the instant love category (thank you!) that attraction grew quickly into something more!
Opposites definitely attract here and how DV Fischer navigated the trials of everything their relationship had to endure to be successful was very well done! This was very real, the characters were genuine (even the side characters) and all of them combined turned this into a pretty emotional read. 🖤
✔️Forbidden romance
✔️Taboo
✔️Plus size
✔️Protective MMC
✔️Pastor x prostitute
✔️He falls first
While Willow and Rowans relationship might be" taboo" I was honestly touched by how their relationship blossomed. There was zero judgement and he completely accepted her and loved her regardless. I absolutely adore how this ended and wrapped up. Team Willow and Rowan all the way.
While this does have spicy scenes I was way more interested in the plot itself.. the love is forbidden and Rowan is determined to do absolutely everything he can to help and save Willow. While this is instant attraction, for me it didn't fall in the instant love category (thank you!) that attraction grew quickly into something more!
Opposites definitely attract here and how DV Fischer navigated the trials of everything their relationship had to endure to be successful was very well done! This was very real, the characters were genuine (even the side characters) and all of them combined turned this into a pretty emotional read. 🖤
✔️Forbidden romance
✔️Taboo
✔️Plus size
✔️Protective MMC
✔️Pastor x prostitute
✔️He falls first
February 25, 2025
OMG, @dvfischerauthor you've done it again! Finished another book today within 24 hours!
MUDDY WATERS - its not a new book, it's on her backlog but YALL 🔥🥵 This amazing lady author knows how to throw down! She is totally the #spicequeen
If you haven't read it, head straight to
@Amazon! <--- You need to purchase it right now,
along with HER. Hell, while you're at it purchase all of her books! 📚
MUDDY WATERS - its not a new book, it's on her backlog but YALL 🔥🥵 This amazing lady author knows how to throw down! She is totally the #spicequeen
If you haven't read it, head straight to
@Amazon! <--- You need to purchase it right now,
along with HER. Hell, while you're at it purchase all of her books! 📚
March 9, 2025
Amazing! Such a perfect fast pace short read!
May 18, 2023
I don't think I could love this book any more than I already do!
The characters are exact opposites, and you know what they say about that. In this story, that statement reads true as the two of them are drawn to each other like moths to a flame. It's a forbidden one, one that has dire consequences if anyone found out. But try as they might, Willow and Rowan just can't stay away from one another.
The spice level of this book is off the charts and the emotional roller coaster the author takes you on is intense!
This was a fantastic dark romance and I highly recommend it!
The characters are exact opposites, and you know what they say about that. In this story, that statement reads true as the two of them are drawn to each other like moths to a flame. It's a forbidden one, one that has dire consequences if anyone found out. But try as they might, Willow and Rowan just can't stay away from one another.
The spice level of this book is off the charts and the emotional roller coaster the author takes you on is intense!
This was a fantastic dark romance and I highly recommend it!
Review of advance copy received from Author
The cover is almost sepia, it depicts some murky looking water with a beautiful white lily on its surface. The lily contains a Pastors Cross and chain (apologies in advance for not knowing the correct terminology for it). I love the byline of “Some prayers are better left unanswered” The cover would pique my interest enough to pick iit up in a store or click on it online to learn more.
There’s a new Pastor in town called Rowan Elscher and he is certainly an upgrade on the current one, old Pastor George. He is much younger and a lot better looking too! Pastor George is kind of throwing Pastor Rowan in at the deep end as he is going on a much-needed holiday. Pastor George acknowledges that Pastor Rowan is good looking, something of a temptation for the female members of the congregation to swoon over so before leaving his final words of warning to Pastor Rowan are that he much keep things with all members of the congregation on a business level, there must be no relationships with women in the congregation under any circumstances. Pastor Rowan readily agrees, though it’s a large church congregation to be told he cannot date, he isn’t looking for someone right now so he easily agrees to Pastor Georges requirements. Things go really well, sure there’s some good-looking women in the church congregation but they are off limits and Pastor Rowan is fine with that. Until in walks Willow Ashley, a beautiful curvy young woman, who is living a double life. All Pastor Rowan sees is a beautiful woman with curves in all the right places who is just his type, it’s a pity he has promised Pastor George he wont date anyone in the congregation. It turns out Willow Ashley has only just returned to the congregation too. Her best friend Whitney, is responsible for Willow being at church the day Pastor George introduces Pastor Rowan Elscher to the packed church. It seems a new Pastor has really filled those pews with curious people. Whitney has a quiet word with Pastor Rowan, insinuating her friend Willow more or less needs saving from herself and some huge secret mess she has gotten herself into. Pastor Rowan agrees to council an unsuspecting Willow. Willow cannot help but feel drawn to the new Pastor in town and agrees to weekly meetings. Pastor Rowan does try to get Willow to talk about her dark secret hinted at by Whitney but at first Willow is reluctant to reveal anything, not that she is ashamed of what she does, more from embarrasement.Willow becomes involved, helping out with various church activities meaning she and Rowan see even more of each other. It seems inevitable they will end up together but there are so many obstacles in their way, Pastor George being one thing but even larger than that is the fact that Willow Ashley is leading a double life, because at night she becomes Kitty, she becomes a prostitute who works on Bourbon Street, Willow sees it as a way to make money, to stay independent, to be able to rent her own place. Willow takes all the precautions she can and stays on the right side of her pimp Captain. Captain can turn violent quickly if angered and has regularly beaten up his girls if he perceived them to have stepped out of line.
As Willow sees more of Rowan a relationship develops and Willow ends up confessing what she does. Though Rowan is already aware of it due to being blackmailed by Pink, a drug reliant prostitute who also works for Captain. In fact he has already even followed Willow/Kitty one night.
When Willow finally goes to Captain saying she wants out he is furious, saying she cannot leave, she owes him and will have to buy herself out. Saying a figure of money that Willow doesn’t have.
Willow and Rowans relationship becomes more passionate and they decide that he will tell Pastor George as soon as he returns from his holiday. Willow also decides she is going to stop working the streets but Captain is furious and uses drug reliant prostitute Pink to find out where Willow lives. He hides out waiting for her to arrive home. He has already beaten Pinky who is laid on the floor. Willow rushes to her friend and is beaten up herself by Captain. Willow realises she can not afford to pay Captain to release her and that she will have to end her relationship with Rowan and continue to work on the streets.
Pastor George is annoyed with both Willow and Pastor Rowan for their, as he sees it ungodly relationship. He issues an ultimatum to Rowan it’s God & the Church, or life with Willow, a prostitute.
Both Rowan and Willow decide to make a sacrifice unbeknownst to the other and are at odds with each other. Willow decides to walk away saying she cannot come between Rowan and God! And Rowan is prepared to walk away from the Church as he loves Willow. He takes care of things with Captain.
I adored Rowan and Willow together and was wanting them to happy ending. Their dynamic was great. I found the fact Rowan compared Willow to someone from his past poignant. Star was someone who he couldn’t save, he lost her but he is determined to keep hols of Willow even if that means disobeying Pastor George and leaving his calling with God. Rowan also isn’t afraid to go confront Captain, he is disgusted by him but he attempts to reason with him, then eventually just pays the debt to Captain from both Willow/Kitty and Shirley/Pink. He could have ignored Pink, left her on the street especially after the blackmailing incident, but he helps her get the help she needs to stay free of the drugs, Captain and prostitution.
I quite enjoyed being really very irritated by the rather old fashioned Pastor George, I guess you could see his point about Rowan not dating anyone from the congregation, but excluding Rowan from dating such a large group of people was a little ridiculous, and was set for failure.
I really liked Megan the secretary who I think was all for the Rowan & Willow romance. I can't help thinking she perhaps heard more than she let on. I think perhaps Megan had an inkling that there were “shenanagans” going on between the new Pastor and Willow, but she stays quiet and just supports both Rowan and Willow
I was furious with Pink firstly blackmailing Rowan over his relationship with Willow and then selling out Willow, giving up her home address & information about Rowan to Captain. Sadly, her addiction was controlling her, she had gotten to a point she would do anything for money to get drugs.
I loved the slow burn of how Kitty & Pink became friends looking out for each other when they were on Bourbon Street. Then slowly they revealed their true selves to each other and become Willow & Shirley to each other.
My immediate thoughts upon finishing the book were, wow that could have ended so differently.
Summing up I was glad we got a happy ending!
There’s a new Pastor in town called Rowan Elscher and he is certainly an upgrade on the current one, old Pastor George. He is much younger and a lot better looking too! Pastor George is kind of throwing Pastor Rowan in at the deep end as he is going on a much-needed holiday. Pastor George acknowledges that Pastor Rowan is good looking, something of a temptation for the female members of the congregation to swoon over so before leaving his final words of warning to Pastor Rowan are that he much keep things with all members of the congregation on a business level, there must be no relationships with women in the congregation under any circumstances. Pastor Rowan readily agrees, though it’s a large church congregation to be told he cannot date, he isn’t looking for someone right now so he easily agrees to Pastor Georges requirements. Things go really well, sure there’s some good-looking women in the church congregation but they are off limits and Pastor Rowan is fine with that. Until in walks Willow Ashley, a beautiful curvy young woman, who is living a double life. All Pastor Rowan sees is a beautiful woman with curves in all the right places who is just his type, it’s a pity he has promised Pastor George he wont date anyone in the congregation. It turns out Willow Ashley has only just returned to the congregation too. Her best friend Whitney, is responsible for Willow being at church the day Pastor George introduces Pastor Rowan Elscher to the packed church. It seems a new Pastor has really filled those pews with curious people. Whitney has a quiet word with Pastor Rowan, insinuating her friend Willow more or less needs saving from herself and some huge secret mess she has gotten herself into. Pastor Rowan agrees to council an unsuspecting Willow. Willow cannot help but feel drawn to the new Pastor in town and agrees to weekly meetings. Pastor Rowan does try to get Willow to talk about her dark secret hinted at by Whitney but at first Willow is reluctant to reveal anything, not that she is ashamed of what she does, more from embarrasement.Willow becomes involved, helping out with various church activities meaning she and Rowan see even more of each other. It seems inevitable they will end up together but there are so many obstacles in their way, Pastor George being one thing but even larger than that is the fact that Willow Ashley is leading a double life, because at night she becomes Kitty, she becomes a prostitute who works on Bourbon Street, Willow sees it as a way to make money, to stay independent, to be able to rent her own place. Willow takes all the precautions she can and stays on the right side of her pimp Captain. Captain can turn violent quickly if angered and has regularly beaten up his girls if he perceived them to have stepped out of line.
As Willow sees more of Rowan a relationship develops and Willow ends up confessing what she does. Though Rowan is already aware of it due to being blackmailed by Pink, a drug reliant prostitute who also works for Captain. In fact he has already even followed Willow/Kitty one night.
When Willow finally goes to Captain saying she wants out he is furious, saying she cannot leave, she owes him and will have to buy herself out. Saying a figure of money that Willow doesn’t have.
Willow and Rowans relationship becomes more passionate and they decide that he will tell Pastor George as soon as he returns from his holiday. Willow also decides she is going to stop working the streets but Captain is furious and uses drug reliant prostitute Pink to find out where Willow lives. He hides out waiting for her to arrive home. He has already beaten Pinky who is laid on the floor. Willow rushes to her friend and is beaten up herself by Captain. Willow realises she can not afford to pay Captain to release her and that she will have to end her relationship with Rowan and continue to work on the streets.
Pastor George is annoyed with both Willow and Pastor Rowan for their, as he sees it ungodly relationship. He issues an ultimatum to Rowan it’s God & the Church, or life with Willow, a prostitute.
Both Rowan and Willow decide to make a sacrifice unbeknownst to the other and are at odds with each other. Willow decides to walk away saying she cannot come between Rowan and God! And Rowan is prepared to walk away from the Church as he loves Willow. He takes care of things with Captain.
I adored Rowan and Willow together and was wanting them to happy ending. Their dynamic was great. I found the fact Rowan compared Willow to someone from his past poignant. Star was someone who he couldn’t save, he lost her but he is determined to keep hols of Willow even if that means disobeying Pastor George and leaving his calling with God. Rowan also isn’t afraid to go confront Captain, he is disgusted by him but he attempts to reason with him, then eventually just pays the debt to Captain from both Willow/Kitty and Shirley/Pink. He could have ignored Pink, left her on the street especially after the blackmailing incident, but he helps her get the help she needs to stay free of the drugs, Captain and prostitution.
I quite enjoyed being really very irritated by the rather old fashioned Pastor George, I guess you could see his point about Rowan not dating anyone from the congregation, but excluding Rowan from dating such a large group of people was a little ridiculous, and was set for failure.
I really liked Megan the secretary who I think was all for the Rowan & Willow romance. I can't help thinking she perhaps heard more than she let on. I think perhaps Megan had an inkling that there were “shenanagans” going on between the new Pastor and Willow, but she stays quiet and just supports both Rowan and Willow
I was furious with Pink firstly blackmailing Rowan over his relationship with Willow and then selling out Willow, giving up her home address & information about Rowan to Captain. Sadly, her addiction was controlling her, she had gotten to a point she would do anything for money to get drugs.
I loved the slow burn of how Kitty & Pink became friends looking out for each other when they were on Bourbon Street. Then slowly they revealed their true selves to each other and become Willow & Shirley to each other.
My immediate thoughts upon finishing the book were, wow that could have ended so differently.
Summing up I was glad we got a happy ending!
February 14, 2024
What it says on the tin and more
I really enjoyed this read.
A lot if the self-proclaimed curvy girl books I pick up aren't actually about curvy girls at all and end up being completely disappointing in that aspect. This one didn't do that.
It didn't feel as taboo as I expected because of how things played out and idk how to explain that, but that could be my religious trauma lol. I am always a hit skeptical.
Altogether enjoyable read. 🤌🤌🤌
I really enjoyed this read.
A lot if the self-proclaimed curvy girl books I pick up aren't actually about curvy girls at all and end up being completely disappointing in that aspect. This one didn't do that.
It didn't feel as taboo as I expected because of how things played out and idk how to explain that, but that could be my religious trauma lol. I am always a hit skeptical.
Altogether enjoyable read. 🤌🤌🤌
March 6, 2025
Another great story from DV! A HEA with enough twists, turns and tender moments to keep you flipping the pages.
March 7, 2025
Willow Ashley, she does what she has to to pay her bills, even if that means paying her bills through sin. It's taken time, but she's made peace with what she has to do to make sure she's taken care of. It's her best friend, her best friend is the one who just can't handle what Willow is doing. She's constantly begging Willow to get her butt to church and confess all her sins.
Eventually, Willow gives in and heads to the church. It's there that she meets the new pastor, Rowan Elsher. Rowan is the kind of man that makes Willow want to sink to her knees and thank God for granting her this kind, gorgeous man. He makes her think of all the filthy things that she could do to him and with him, and she knows that even God would blush several shades of red.
Then we have Rowan Elsher himself. He moved to New Orleans wanting a fresh start, looking to help those in need. Most of all, though, he just wanted to make a difference in the life of his congregation and his community. When Willows best friend, a women Rowan has never met before, comes to him begging him to help her best friend who needs his help, even though she refuses to tell him why and what she is messed up in. Everything she does tells him peeks his natural curiosity and makes him want to help this woman all the more.
When Willow walks through his church doors finally, her curves make him catch his breath and she has a pout that would stop any mad dead in his track and he knows without a doubt that he is in serious trouble with her.
He knows that he shouldn't be dating members of his congregation. He has been warned about that several times. And he knows that the reality of life is he really should not want her as much as he does. No, he can't want her. That's breaking all the rules. But, as the saying goes, the heart wants what the heart wants, and Rowan can't help himself and break all the rules that he's vowed to keep.
I first fell in love with D.V. Fischer's writing with her book “Claimed by the Damned”. But, this book felt like so much more than just your typical smut book. It felt like so much more than the typical D.V. Fischer novel.
For me, this book wasn't only about the spice, although I never complain about the spice in a book. Muddy Waters, it was a roller-coaster of emotions that had a very real to me story. One of the things that I love about D.V. Fischer is that a lot of her FMC's are curvy girls, and as a curvy girl myself, I can't help but appreciate the stories that D.V. Fischer weaves.
Like all books, I go into them with zero expectations. I don't pre-judge a book, not by its cover or it's blurb. I let the cover draw me in, and I really don't read the blurbs. I let the cover do all the talking for me. When I don't have a cover, I skim the blurb for keywords to tell me if there are any tropes that I will enjoy or not. Muddy Waters, though, caught me off guard, and this story touched my heart.
The way the characters interacted was perfect. The dialogue was moving and touching, it was so moving, and the weaving back and forth between the two MCs brought me to tears at times.
And D.V. doesn't ignore her supporting characters either. She makes sure they have their moments to shine. The supporting characters just add more to the story, make the MCs shine, and give depth to the storyline.
What will really get to you the most is the love that comes from the people you least expect. We see through Muddy Waters that no matter who you are, what you've done, what you've seen, what you've been through there is still going to be the right person for you. That one person who is perfect for you, who will see you for you, accept you no matter what, love you as you are. It's such a powerful reminder that everyone, and I mean everyone, deserves to feel that kind of connection at least once in their life.
Muddy Waters is a story that shows us all just how complex and tricky friendships can be at times. D.V. Fischer shows us that it can be hard for us to truly trust another person after we have been betrayed and how powerful forgiving and being forgiven can be. And this was when it truly hit me, and I was truly brought to tears. To know just how powerful this grace can be.
Eventually, Willow gives in and heads to the church. It's there that she meets the new pastor, Rowan Elsher. Rowan is the kind of man that makes Willow want to sink to her knees and thank God for granting her this kind, gorgeous man. He makes her think of all the filthy things that she could do to him and with him, and she knows that even God would blush several shades of red.
Then we have Rowan Elsher himself. He moved to New Orleans wanting a fresh start, looking to help those in need. Most of all, though, he just wanted to make a difference in the life of his congregation and his community. When Willows best friend, a women Rowan has never met before, comes to him begging him to help her best friend who needs his help, even though she refuses to tell him why and what she is messed up in. Everything she does tells him peeks his natural curiosity and makes him want to help this woman all the more.
When Willow walks through his church doors finally, her curves make him catch his breath and she has a pout that would stop any mad dead in his track and he knows without a doubt that he is in serious trouble with her.
He knows that he shouldn't be dating members of his congregation. He has been warned about that several times. And he knows that the reality of life is he really should not want her as much as he does. No, he can't want her. That's breaking all the rules. But, as the saying goes, the heart wants what the heart wants, and Rowan can't help himself and break all the rules that he's vowed to keep.
I first fell in love with D.V. Fischer's writing with her book “Claimed by the Damned”. But, this book felt like so much more than just your typical smut book. It felt like so much more than the typical D.V. Fischer novel.
For me, this book wasn't only about the spice, although I never complain about the spice in a book. Muddy Waters, it was a roller-coaster of emotions that had a very real to me story. One of the things that I love about D.V. Fischer is that a lot of her FMC's are curvy girls, and as a curvy girl myself, I can't help but appreciate the stories that D.V. Fischer weaves.
Like all books, I go into them with zero expectations. I don't pre-judge a book, not by its cover or it's blurb. I let the cover draw me in, and I really don't read the blurbs. I let the cover do all the talking for me. When I don't have a cover, I skim the blurb for keywords to tell me if there are any tropes that I will enjoy or not. Muddy Waters, though, caught me off guard, and this story touched my heart.
The way the characters interacted was perfect. The dialogue was moving and touching, it was so moving, and the weaving back and forth between the two MCs brought me to tears at times.
And D.V. doesn't ignore her supporting characters either. She makes sure they have their moments to shine. The supporting characters just add more to the story, make the MCs shine, and give depth to the storyline.
What will really get to you the most is the love that comes from the people you least expect. We see through Muddy Waters that no matter who you are, what you've done, what you've seen, what you've been through there is still going to be the right person for you. That one person who is perfect for you, who will see you for you, accept you no matter what, love you as you are. It's such a powerful reminder that everyone, and I mean everyone, deserves to feel that kind of connection at least once in their life.
Muddy Waters is a story that shows us all just how complex and tricky friendships can be at times. D.V. Fischer shows us that it can be hard for us to truly trust another person after we have been betrayed and how powerful forgiving and being forgiven can be. And this was when it truly hit me, and I was truly brought to tears. To know just how powerful this grace can be.
July 23, 2026
✨️ ARC Review ✨️ - Muddy Waters by DV Fischer - ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
This one was definitely a little different!
We've got a priest x sinner romance, with a hot pastor falling for a sex worker, a curvy FMC, a secret relationship, redemption, salvation, and plenty of secrets on both sides. I mean... who knew a priest would have so many?
Overall, I enjoyed this book, but I was left wanting a little more depth. There were a lot of interesting topics and character moments that were introduced but never really explored. It felt like we only skimmed the surface before moving on, and I would have loved to dig into the roots of everyone's struggles and motivations.
The story moves at a fairly quick pace, with plenty of drama and spice throughout. Religion definitely plays a role, but I actually expected it to have a much bigger impact on the story than it ended up having.
Willow's character growth and journey towards redemption was probably my favourite part of the book. Watching her find her worth and fight for the life she wanted was genuinely lovely.
Whitney, Willow's best friend, didn't really work for me. She came across as quite judgmental, seemed to appear only when the plot needed her, and then disappeared again. That said, Willow wasn't exactly winning any Best Friend awards either, so their friendship never felt particularly convincing.
The third-act breakup also felt a little unnecessary, and I was disappointed that we never really got an explanation for why Pastor George was so against Rowan dating anyone in the congregation...especially Willow. It felt like a storyline that was introduced with a lot of weight but ultimately got swept under the rug.
If you're looking for something a little different with forbidden romance, redemption, plenty of spice, and a hot priest, this is worth checking out. I just wish we'd spent a little more time diving into the characters beneath the surface.
This one was definitely a little different!
We've got a priest x sinner romance, with a hot pastor falling for a sex worker, a curvy FMC, a secret relationship, redemption, salvation, and plenty of secrets on both sides. I mean... who knew a priest would have so many?
Overall, I enjoyed this book, but I was left wanting a little more depth. There were a lot of interesting topics and character moments that were introduced but never really explored. It felt like we only skimmed the surface before moving on, and I would have loved to dig into the roots of everyone's struggles and motivations.
The story moves at a fairly quick pace, with plenty of drama and spice throughout. Religion definitely plays a role, but I actually expected it to have a much bigger impact on the story than it ended up having.
Willow's character growth and journey towards redemption was probably my favourite part of the book. Watching her find her worth and fight for the life she wanted was genuinely lovely.
Whitney, Willow's best friend, didn't really work for me. She came across as quite judgmental, seemed to appear only when the plot needed her, and then disappeared again. That said, Willow wasn't exactly winning any Best Friend awards either, so their friendship never felt particularly convincing.
The third-act breakup also felt a little unnecessary, and I was disappointed that we never really got an explanation for why Pastor George was so against Rowan dating anyone in the congregation...especially Willow. It felt like a storyline that was introduced with a lot of weight but ultimately got swept under the rug.
If you're looking for something a little different with forbidden romance, redemption, plenty of spice, and a hot priest, this is worth checking out. I just wish we'd spent a little more time diving into the characters beneath the surface.
March 6, 2025
Who knew I'd be crying over a smut book? It wasn't just about the spice. It had a real story too! I have so much to say about this book! D.V. Fischer really knows how to take her readers on an emotional rollercoaster.
Relationship: Priest x Prostitute
Theme: Forbidden Contemporary Romance
HEA: Yes
I went into this book with no expectations. And it completely surprised me. This story really touched my heart. The interactions between the characters were so genuine and moving, they brought me to tears. It wasn't just the main characters either. Even the supporting roles (the people who came in and out of their lives) made the story more emotional.
I was really touched by how it showed love coming from people you'd never expect. Like, no matter what you've been through, no matter who you are, there are still the RIGHT PEOPLE who will see you, accept you, and love you for exactly who you are. That's a powerful reminder that everyone deserves to experience that kind of connection.
This story portrays the complexities of friendship as well. D.V. Fischer also showed how tricky friendships can be. She showed how hard it is to trust someone, how much it hurts to be betrayed, and how powerful forgiveness can be. Again, that part really hit me hard because it resonated with me so well in real life. That's one of the reasons why this book made me cry, despite having spice in it. 💔
If you're into forbidden romance and a bit of spice, but want a good story too, a story that makes sense... then this is for you!
NOTE: This is my personal opinion about the book. My goal is to share my experience, not to change anyone's perspective.
- ARC Reader Review (Sun Young Peony)
Relationship: Priest x Prostitute
Theme: Forbidden Contemporary Romance
HEA: Yes
I went into this book with no expectations. And it completely surprised me. This story really touched my heart. The interactions between the characters were so genuine and moving, they brought me to tears. It wasn't just the main characters either. Even the supporting roles (the people who came in and out of their lives) made the story more emotional.
I was really touched by how it showed love coming from people you'd never expect. Like, no matter what you've been through, no matter who you are, there are still the RIGHT PEOPLE who will see you, accept you, and love you for exactly who you are. That's a powerful reminder that everyone deserves to experience that kind of connection.
This story portrays the complexities of friendship as well. D.V. Fischer also showed how tricky friendships can be. She showed how hard it is to trust someone, how much it hurts to be betrayed, and how powerful forgiveness can be. Again, that part really hit me hard because it resonated with me so well in real life. That's one of the reasons why this book made me cry, despite having spice in it. 💔
If you're into forbidden romance and a bit of spice, but want a good story too, a story that makes sense... then this is for you!
NOTE: This is my personal opinion about the book. My goal is to share my experience, not to change anyone's perspective.
- ARC Reader Review (Sun Young Peony)
August 2, 2026
Muddy Waters is a taboo contemporary romance featuring Willow (aka Kitty) Ashley and Pastor Rowan Elsher.
Willow left home to get away from an alcoholic father. She does her best to support herself but her choice of employment horrifies her best friend Whitney Spears; Willow is a prostitute. Whitney convinces Willow to come to church with her to confess her sins. She hopes that Willow will find another path.
At church, Willow meets the new pastor, Rowan. She is surprised that he is so young and attractive. As soon as Rowan sees Willow, he is immediately smitten. He came to this new church to be able to help guide the congregation, and after Whitney suggest her best friend needs guidance, Rowan is keen to do whatever he can. He proposes weekly meetings where they can talk about anything she wants, but he is keen to understand why the beautiful, young woman would need guidance.
The mutual attraction and close proximity leads Willow and Rowan to know each other in the biblical sense. Their non-relationship gets complicated by the fact that Rowan was told not to date anyone from within the congregation, and Willow cannot have a boyfriend lest she risk the wrath of her pimp.
I enjoyed the story. It quickly pulled me in and I wanted Willow to find a different path. It seemed like she could have lived her life differently but her decision to sell her body was the most lucrative for the least amount of work. I don't think she fully thought through that decision and what it would mean for her life long term. I appreciated that she had a best friend who stuck by her, and did her best to try and help her reclaim her life.
There was definitely chemistry between Willow and Rowan. I was happy that they found each other. While the relationship may have been considered taboo, true love wins out in the end.
Willow left home to get away from an alcoholic father. She does her best to support herself but her choice of employment horrifies her best friend Whitney Spears; Willow is a prostitute. Whitney convinces Willow to come to church with her to confess her sins. She hopes that Willow will find another path.
At church, Willow meets the new pastor, Rowan. She is surprised that he is so young and attractive. As soon as Rowan sees Willow, he is immediately smitten. He came to this new church to be able to help guide the congregation, and after Whitney suggest her best friend needs guidance, Rowan is keen to do whatever he can. He proposes weekly meetings where they can talk about anything she wants, but he is keen to understand why the beautiful, young woman would need guidance.
The mutual attraction and close proximity leads Willow and Rowan to know each other in the biblical sense. Their non-relationship gets complicated by the fact that Rowan was told not to date anyone from within the congregation, and Willow cannot have a boyfriend lest she risk the wrath of her pimp.
I enjoyed the story. It quickly pulled me in and I wanted Willow to find a different path. It seemed like she could have lived her life differently but her decision to sell her body was the most lucrative for the least amount of work. I don't think she fully thought through that decision and what it would mean for her life long term. I appreciated that she had a best friend who stuck by her, and did her best to try and help her reclaim her life.
There was definitely chemistry between Willow and Rowan. I was happy that they found each other. While the relationship may have been considered taboo, true love wins out in the end.
August 1, 2026
DV Fischer delivers an absolute knockout with Muddy Waters, an addictive, brilliantly crafted dark romance that I tore through in a single sitting because I simply couldn't put it down. From the very first page, the characters grab you and refuse to let go in the best possible way.
The story centers on Willow Ashley, a fiercely independent woman living out in the sticks who does what she has to do to pay her bills.
Content with her life and unashamedly devoted to her books—even sharing her reads with others—her routine is upended when her best friend, Whitney, finally succeeds in dragging her to church.
There, she catches the eye of Pastor Rowan Elsher, the handsome new arrival in New Orleans who came to make a difference in his congregation.
Armed with a single piece of advice from his predecessor to avoid dating the congregation, Rowan tries to stand his ground, but the moment he lays eyes on Willow, he is completely smitten.
Despite the immense risks, the judgment of their community, and the heavy shadow of dangerous secrets, Willow and Rowan collide in a magnetic pull that proves impossible to resist.
Bound by a secret that could destroy them both, they are locked in a breathless push-and-pull where fighting the chemistry is entirely out of the question.
Muddy Waters strikes the ultimate balance, mixing just the right amount of darkness with genuine humor and intense, high-stakes emotional tension.
This story puts you through a gripping emotional gauntlet while delivering scorching-hot chemistry that sizzles on every page.
Rowan is the ultimate complicated hero, and Willow is the one who brings out all his deepest desires.
It is a perfect combination for a fantastic dark romance.
The story centers on Willow Ashley, a fiercely independent woman living out in the sticks who does what she has to do to pay her bills.
Content with her life and unashamedly devoted to her books—even sharing her reads with others—her routine is upended when her best friend, Whitney, finally succeeds in dragging her to church.
There, she catches the eye of Pastor Rowan Elsher, the handsome new arrival in New Orleans who came to make a difference in his congregation.
Armed with a single piece of advice from his predecessor to avoid dating the congregation, Rowan tries to stand his ground, but the moment he lays eyes on Willow, he is completely smitten.
Despite the immense risks, the judgment of their community, and the heavy shadow of dangerous secrets, Willow and Rowan collide in a magnetic pull that proves impossible to resist.
Bound by a secret that could destroy them both, they are locked in a breathless push-and-pull where fighting the chemistry is entirely out of the question.
Muddy Waters strikes the ultimate balance, mixing just the right amount of darkness with genuine humor and intense, high-stakes emotional tension.
This story puts you through a gripping emotional gauntlet while delivering scorching-hot chemistry that sizzles on every page.
Rowan is the ultimate complicated hero, and Willow is the one who brings out all his deepest desires.
It is a perfect combination for a fantastic dark romance.
August 4, 2026
4.5 Stars
Muddy Waters, by DV Fischer, was a steamy, emotional, and surprisingly heartfelt taboo romance. Willow Ashley has learned to survive without apologizing for the choices she makes, while Pastor Rowan Elsher has built his life around faith, responsibility, and rules he fully intends to follow. Their immediate attraction puts both of them in complicated territory, creating a forbidden romance filled with tension, temptation, and intense chemistry.
Willow, a sex worker, was easily one of my favorite parts of the story. She is confident and strong, but beneath that exterior is a woman carrying pain, betrayal, and doubts about whether she deserves something better. I also appreciated seeing a curvy heroine portrayed as desirable without her body becoming a problem that must be fixed. Rowan’s acceptance of Willow, including the parts of her life others judged, made their connection feel like more than physical attraction.
The relationship is very spicy, but the story also explores forgiveness, trust, friendship, and the difference between having faith and using religion to condemn someone. I especially enjoyed that Rowan did not approach Willow as a project to repair or a sinner he needed to save. In many ways, they helped save one another by offering the acceptance and compassion each had been missing.
A few parts of the story moved quickly, and I would have preferred a little more time exploring the emotional consequences of everything Willow and Rowan endured. I enjoyed the taboo nature of this forbidden romance!
Thanks to DV Fischer for gifting me an eARC of Muddy Waters. I am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Muddy Waters, by DV Fischer, was a steamy, emotional, and surprisingly heartfelt taboo romance. Willow Ashley has learned to survive without apologizing for the choices she makes, while Pastor Rowan Elsher has built his life around faith, responsibility, and rules he fully intends to follow. Their immediate attraction puts both of them in complicated territory, creating a forbidden romance filled with tension, temptation, and intense chemistry.
Willow, a sex worker, was easily one of my favorite parts of the story. She is confident and strong, but beneath that exterior is a woman carrying pain, betrayal, and doubts about whether she deserves something better. I also appreciated seeing a curvy heroine portrayed as desirable without her body becoming a problem that must be fixed. Rowan’s acceptance of Willow, including the parts of her life others judged, made their connection feel like more than physical attraction.
The relationship is very spicy, but the story also explores forgiveness, trust, friendship, and the difference between having faith and using religion to condemn someone. I especially enjoyed that Rowan did not approach Willow as a project to repair or a sinner he needed to save. In many ways, they helped save one another by offering the acceptance and compassion each had been missing.
A few parts of the story moved quickly, and I would have preferred a little more time exploring the emotional consequences of everything Willow and Rowan endured. I enjoyed the taboo nature of this forbidden romance!
Thanks to DV Fischer for gifting me an eARC of Muddy Waters. I am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 18, 2026
*ARC* Muddy Waters By D.V. Fisher
⭐️ 4/5
🌶️ 1/5
Tropes:
🤍 Plus Size FMC
🤎 Forbidden Romance
🤍 Pastor x Prostitue
🤎 Dual POV
FMC: Willow Ashley
MMC: Rowan Elsher
Review:
I must say, I was pleasantly surprised by this book! I’m typically down for any book as long as there is spice and HEA. Extra points if the FMC is plus sized. I did hesitate a bit since the MMC is a pastor. I am the least religious person there is, haha. I did roll my eyes a bit at some of the God talk, but of course that would be included in a book following a pastor.
Not only does willow have her own secrets, but surprisingly, so does Pastor Rowan. This was a quick read I couldn’t put down. From the deep connection and hilarious banter between the two, I fell hard for these characters!
Overall, the writing was pretty good. The story progressed at a reasonable pace. Truly, the only down side was when I received the file, it stated the book was a “Dark Romance”. I would not classify this book as a dark romance at all. There is definitely a scene where it could have qualified as one (to me), however, the character takes a different approach so there isn’t anything “dark” about the story. Unless you count sex work as “dark romance”. To me that’s just normal life stuff.
That being said, I would definitely recommend this book to others to read! The connection between these characters is explosive and addictive. I didn’t want the story to end.
*Disclaimer: I am a smutty princess so my smut ratings do not typically match “normal” smut ratings. That being said, for a “normal” person this book is probably a 2.5/5 on the spice scale 💖
⭐️ 4/5
🌶️ 1/5
Tropes:
🤍 Plus Size FMC
🤎 Forbidden Romance
🤍 Pastor x Prostitue
🤎 Dual POV
FMC: Willow Ashley
MMC: Rowan Elsher
Review:
I must say, I was pleasantly surprised by this book! I’m typically down for any book as long as there is spice and HEA. Extra points if the FMC is plus sized. I did hesitate a bit since the MMC is a pastor. I am the least religious person there is, haha. I did roll my eyes a bit at some of the God talk, but of course that would be included in a book following a pastor.
Not only does willow have her own secrets, but surprisingly, so does Pastor Rowan. This was a quick read I couldn’t put down. From the deep connection and hilarious banter between the two, I fell hard for these characters!
Overall, the writing was pretty good. The story progressed at a reasonable pace. Truly, the only down side was when I received the file, it stated the book was a “Dark Romance”. I would not classify this book as a dark romance at all. There is definitely a scene where it could have qualified as one (to me), however, the character takes a different approach so there isn’t anything “dark” about the story. Unless you count sex work as “dark romance”. To me that’s just normal life stuff.
That being said, I would definitely recommend this book to others to read! The connection between these characters is explosive and addictive. I didn’t want the story to end.
*Disclaimer: I am a smutty princess so my smut ratings do not typically match “normal” smut ratings. That being said, for a “normal” person this book is probably a 2.5/5 on the spice scale 💖
March 27, 2025
⭐ 4/5 Overall
🔥 3/5 Spice
I enjoyed Muddy Waters by D.V. Fischer. While the story itself didn’t feel particularly original, it was still engaging and well-executed. The writing was easy to follow, with a smooth flow that kept me hooked from the first page.
The story follows Willow, a woman who makes peace with her choices despite her best friend's constant urging to confess her sins. When she finally gives in and attends church, she meets Rowan, a pastor struggling with his own desires. Their undeniable chemistry leads to temptation, pushing the boundaries of faith, duty, and love.
The pacing leans toward the faster side, but it works well because a lot happens, and nothing feels rushed. The characters were interesting, though I would have liked a bit more introspection—more emotions woven into the plot to deepen the connection. The setting was well-portrayed, and the secondary characters added depth. However, one aspect that felt slightly unrealistic was the MMC’s lack of close friendships. He is described as well-liked, yet he has no one to reach out to, not even via phone, which made certain elements of his character feel somewhat disconnected from reality.
Overall, I’d recommend this book to readers who enjoy contemporary romance with darker themes, particularly those who don’t mind a strong religious background. If you liked Priest by Sierra Simone, you might enjoy this one, as it explores similar themes of forbidden attraction and internal conflict. And if you like a bit of spice, that certainly won’t hurt either!
🔥 3/5 Spice
I enjoyed Muddy Waters by D.V. Fischer. While the story itself didn’t feel particularly original, it was still engaging and well-executed. The writing was easy to follow, with a smooth flow that kept me hooked from the first page.
The story follows Willow, a woman who makes peace with her choices despite her best friend's constant urging to confess her sins. When she finally gives in and attends church, she meets Rowan, a pastor struggling with his own desires. Their undeniable chemistry leads to temptation, pushing the boundaries of faith, duty, and love.
The pacing leans toward the faster side, but it works well because a lot happens, and nothing feels rushed. The characters were interesting, though I would have liked a bit more introspection—more emotions woven into the plot to deepen the connection. The setting was well-portrayed, and the secondary characters added depth. However, one aspect that felt slightly unrealistic was the MMC’s lack of close friendships. He is described as well-liked, yet he has no one to reach out to, not even via phone, which made certain elements of his character feel somewhat disconnected from reality.
Overall, I’d recommend this book to readers who enjoy contemporary romance with darker themes, particularly those who don’t mind a strong religious background. If you liked Priest by Sierra Simone, you might enjoy this one, as it explores similar themes of forbidden attraction and internal conflict. And if you like a bit of spice, that certainly won’t hurt either!
July 16, 2026
-priest x sinner
-curvy fmc
-trauma
-prostitute
-office stuff
If you like forbidden romance...priest and sinner...instant attraction..this is for you! This is a new to me author so I am not sure if all of her books progress this quickly. I felt like the characters weren't really fleshed out well enough. The spice was spicing...I will say that. Willow Ashley is a prostitute who is begged by her best friend to come to church with her. Attending church with her friend, Willow is introduced to the new priest-our MMC Rowan. He is new in town and is trying to acclimate to his new position in the church. We see some of Rowan's backstory-but I don't feel like it was very in depth. I couldn't feel a connection to him. With Willow either. I feel like the story could have gone so much deeper in to all of the characters. Willow was drug to church by her friend-Whitney-as she did not agree with her lifestyle. I constantly felt like Whitney was a secondary character that was here one minute and gone the next. I thought she was going to end up betraying Willow in some way..but alas! She did not. Willow was not really a great friend to her, but Whitney was loyal to a fault. It was a quick but fun read, and was a nice introduction to a priest/religion trope. I have not previously read any of these. If you are looking for a quick read to get out of a slump-this would be perfect for you. And I will definitely recommend it!
I will also say-I am more than slightly annoyed that our FMC is supposed to be curvy, larger-but the cover model...is absolutely not.
-curvy fmc
-trauma
-prostitute
-office stuff
If you like forbidden romance...priest and sinner...instant attraction..this is for you! This is a new to me author so I am not sure if all of her books progress this quickly. I felt like the characters weren't really fleshed out well enough. The spice was spicing...I will say that. Willow Ashley is a prostitute who is begged by her best friend to come to church with her. Attending church with her friend, Willow is introduced to the new priest-our MMC Rowan. He is new in town and is trying to acclimate to his new position in the church. We see some of Rowan's backstory-but I don't feel like it was very in depth. I couldn't feel a connection to him. With Willow either. I feel like the story could have gone so much deeper in to all of the characters. Willow was drug to church by her friend-Whitney-as she did not agree with her lifestyle. I constantly felt like Whitney was a secondary character that was here one minute and gone the next. I thought she was going to end up betraying Willow in some way..but alas! She did not. Willow was not really a great friend to her, but Whitney was loyal to a fault. It was a quick but fun read, and was a nice introduction to a priest/religion trope. I have not previously read any of these. If you are looking for a quick read to get out of a slump-this would be perfect for you. And I will definitely recommend it!
I will also say-I am more than slightly annoyed that our FMC is supposed to be curvy, larger-but the cover model...is absolutely not.
July 24, 2026
**⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ARC Review – *Muddy Waters* by D.V. Fisher**
Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
*Muddy Waters* was a fast-paced, emotional read that kept me engaged from beginning to end. One of my favorite aspects of the story was the chemistry between the main characters. Their relationship felt genuine, and I found myself rooting for them throughout the book.
The ending was especially satisfying. I loved seeing him save her and, even more importantly, watching her begin to heal. Her journey back to church was a meaningful part of the story, and I appreciated that healing wasn't portrayed as something instant—it felt like the beginning of a new chapter for her.
One thing that really stood out was how D.V. Fisher handled the religious themes. Faith can be difficult to incorporate into fiction in a way that feels authentic, but for the most part, I think the author approached the subject with care and respect. There were only a couple of moments that didn't quite work for me, but they didn't take away from my overall enjoyment of the story.
My biggest wish is simply that there had been more. I became invested in the characters and would have loved to spend more time with them before the story ended.
Overall, I gave *Muddy Waters* **4 out of 5 stars**. If you enjoy emotional romances with themes of faith, healing, redemption, and strong character chemistry, this is definitely one to check out.
Thank you again to D.V. Fisher for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
*Muddy Waters* was a fast-paced, emotional read that kept me engaged from beginning to end. One of my favorite aspects of the story was the chemistry between the main characters. Their relationship felt genuine, and I found myself rooting for them throughout the book.
The ending was especially satisfying. I loved seeing him save her and, even more importantly, watching her begin to heal. Her journey back to church was a meaningful part of the story, and I appreciated that healing wasn't portrayed as something instant—it felt like the beginning of a new chapter for her.
One thing that really stood out was how D.V. Fisher handled the religious themes. Faith can be difficult to incorporate into fiction in a way that feels authentic, but for the most part, I think the author approached the subject with care and respect. There were only a couple of moments that didn't quite work for me, but they didn't take away from my overall enjoyment of the story.
My biggest wish is simply that there had been more. I became invested in the characters and would have loved to spend more time with them before the story ended.
Overall, I gave *Muddy Waters* **4 out of 5 stars**. If you enjoy emotional romances with themes of faith, healing, redemption, and strong character chemistry, this is definitely one to check out.
Thank you again to D.V. Fisher for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
March 5, 2025
ARC Review: Muddy Waters by DV Fischer
⭐ 4.5/5 Stars | 🌶 4/5 Spice
Some books make you blush. Some make you sweat. Muddy Waters does both—and I couldn’t put it down!
Willow Ashley has made peace with her choices, even if her best friend hasn’t. When she finally gives in to attending church, she meets Pastor Rowan Elsher—a man who is just as bound by his convictions as he is by his undeniable attraction to her. Their chemistry? Scorching. Their connection? Forbidden. And their love? Utterly impossible… or is it?
DV Fischer masterfully weaves an intense, tension-filled romance that is equal parts angsty, emotional, and sizzling hot. The push and pull between Willow and Rowan had me hooked, and their slow descent into breaking all the rules was deliciously sinful. Rowan’s internal struggle, paired with Willow’s confidence and vulnerability, made their dynamic all the more compelling.
The spice level is solid—it’s steamy, forbidden, and downright sinful at times (in the best way possible). My only minor critique is that I would have loved a little more emotional depth in certain moments to fully round out their journey. That said, this book absolutely delivers on its promise of a forbidden romance filled with passion and turmoil.
If you love off-limits romance, sizzling tension, and characters who risk it all for love, Muddy Waters is a must-read.
⚠️ For content warnings, check out DV Fischer’s website.
⭐ 4.5/5 Stars | 🌶 4/5 Spice
Some books make you blush. Some make you sweat. Muddy Waters does both—and I couldn’t put it down!
Willow Ashley has made peace with her choices, even if her best friend hasn’t. When she finally gives in to attending church, she meets Pastor Rowan Elsher—a man who is just as bound by his convictions as he is by his undeniable attraction to her. Their chemistry? Scorching. Their connection? Forbidden. And their love? Utterly impossible… or is it?
DV Fischer masterfully weaves an intense, tension-filled romance that is equal parts angsty, emotional, and sizzling hot. The push and pull between Willow and Rowan had me hooked, and their slow descent into breaking all the rules was deliciously sinful. Rowan’s internal struggle, paired with Willow’s confidence and vulnerability, made their dynamic all the more compelling.
The spice level is solid—it’s steamy, forbidden, and downright sinful at times (in the best way possible). My only minor critique is that I would have loved a little more emotional depth in certain moments to fully round out their journey. That said, this book absolutely delivers on its promise of a forbidden romance filled with passion and turmoil.
If you love off-limits romance, sizzling tension, and characters who risk it all for love, Muddy Waters is a must-read.
⚠️ For content warnings, check out DV Fischer’s website.
March 29, 2025
ARC REVIEW!
This was deliciously, good and spicy. There were some parts that grossed me out a little bit and then there were some of that stressed me out a little bit, but that aside this is good. Went pastor Rowan pull that Glock. I was like yes man of God you do what you were put here to do and protect your woman from evil, sir. I wasn’t mad at it at all. In fact, one of those stars in my rating is simply for the fact that he stood on business for his Hoochie, mama. He was like you either gonna let my girl go or I’m going to send you to meet my boss and he meant that. I really enjoyed this from start to finish. There were some questionable moments because I would probably pass out if I was a guy and I kissed this girl not knowing that literally a hour or so ago she was slobbing on another man knob, but he was so in love. I don’t think he really minded. I would’ve died, but you know to each their own. I was so happy when she finally got out of that lifestyle and dedicated herself to him. They were so cute and happy together. It was the perfect ending. The epilogue was really good. I loved it. That spice!!! This man turned her every way, but loose every time he grab her and I’m not mad at it. At his place of work, at his house it didn’t matter where he said it was on site. If you want something that is dirty Sweet, weird a little bit but still really good. Read this.
This was deliciously, good and spicy. There were some parts that grossed me out a little bit and then there were some of that stressed me out a little bit, but that aside this is good. Went pastor Rowan pull that Glock. I was like yes man of God you do what you were put here to do and protect your woman from evil, sir. I wasn’t mad at it at all. In fact, one of those stars in my rating is simply for the fact that he stood on business for his Hoochie, mama. He was like you either gonna let my girl go or I’m going to send you to meet my boss and he meant that. I really enjoyed this from start to finish. There were some questionable moments because I would probably pass out if I was a guy and I kissed this girl not knowing that literally a hour or so ago she was slobbing on another man knob, but he was so in love. I don’t think he really minded. I would’ve died, but you know to each their own. I was so happy when she finally got out of that lifestyle and dedicated herself to him. They were so cute and happy together. It was the perfect ending. The epilogue was really good. I loved it. That spice!!! This man turned her every way, but loose every time he grab her and I’m not mad at it. At his place of work, at his house it didn’t matter where he said it was on site. If you want something that is dirty Sweet, weird a little bit but still really good. Read this.
February 28, 2025
Often when I read a new book I love to figure out why Authors give it the title they do and I guess I'm not the only one to be pulled in by a title knowing the story is going to be something gripping.
Well I can honestly say "Muddy Waters" did not disappoint me in any way. Besides when you read the synopsis to see the roles of the two main characters you know you will not be disappointed (unless you are a stout religious person maybe).
Loved the two leading characters and certainly the LFC was truly fantastic, in actual fact someone who knew what she liked and was happy to fight for it.
Its a flavoured romance, meaning not 'vanilla' but something a little risque, taboo and enticing but not over the top dark. But still one that will draw readers into it and allow you to feel the emotions that come along with an good romance story. A little good verses bad but with a huge dose of true love and connection. Its one of those stories where you realise that in real life how easy it can be to over- judge and simply make assumptions based on little knowledge but have no idea to the true background goings on that pull our lives along.
A well devised plot filled nicely with great characters, incredible scenarios and that whole sense of emotional fulfillment.
Well I can honestly say "Muddy Waters" did not disappoint me in any way. Besides when you read the synopsis to see the roles of the two main characters you know you will not be disappointed (unless you are a stout religious person maybe).
Loved the two leading characters and certainly the LFC was truly fantastic, in actual fact someone who knew what she liked and was happy to fight for it.
Its a flavoured romance, meaning not 'vanilla' but something a little risque, taboo and enticing but not over the top dark. But still one that will draw readers into it and allow you to feel the emotions that come along with an good romance story. A little good verses bad but with a huge dose of true love and connection. Its one of those stories where you realise that in real life how easy it can be to over- judge and simply make assumptions based on little knowledge but have no idea to the true background goings on that pull our lives along.
A well devised plot filled nicely with great characters, incredible scenarios and that whole sense of emotional fulfillment.
March 4, 2025
Wow!! What can I say about this book? You are so gonna want to put this on your TBR list!
It ticked all the boxes for me. Forbidden romance: Yes! Opposites attract: Yes! Insta attraction: Yes!
And I think he falls first! YES!! but that maybe up for debate!
A Dark romance, with all the feels and hotness that grabs at you and does not let go till the very end.
The insta attraction between Pastor Rowan and Willow is off the charts hot!
How does one who lives in sin everyday and a Priest meet? In a church of course!
What is she doing in church you ask? Finding redemption? Maybe!
Or just there to appease her best friend, Whitney, who is forever trying to get Willow to give up her lifestyle and return to the churches fold!
The best decision of her life is to go to church and meet the new Pastor!
And so begins the story of Willow and Pastor Rowan meeting for the first time and feeling that inevitable pull towards each other.
Their story is not without drama as they try to manage their lives and feelings without causing a ripple effect throughout the parish community.
Another brilliant read by DV Fischer and one that I could not put down. Read in one sitting, this is a book I definitely recommend!
A Stunning worthy 5 stars from me!
It ticked all the boxes for me. Forbidden romance: Yes! Opposites attract: Yes! Insta attraction: Yes!
And I think he falls first! YES!! but that maybe up for debate!
A Dark romance, with all the feels and hotness that grabs at you and does not let go till the very end.
The insta attraction between Pastor Rowan and Willow is off the charts hot!
How does one who lives in sin everyday and a Priest meet? In a church of course!
What is she doing in church you ask? Finding redemption? Maybe!
Or just there to appease her best friend, Whitney, who is forever trying to get Willow to give up her lifestyle and return to the churches fold!
The best decision of her life is to go to church and meet the new Pastor!
And so begins the story of Willow and Pastor Rowan meeting for the first time and feeling that inevitable pull towards each other.
Their story is not without drama as they try to manage their lives and feelings without causing a ripple effect throughout the parish community.
Another brilliant read by DV Fischer and one that I could not put down. Read in one sitting, this is a book I definitely recommend!
A Stunning worthy 5 stars from me!
March 27, 2025
A Church romance
This is a brilliantly written dark romance, with a lovely story, great plot, characters you'll love, drama, forbidden romance, love and spice. Plus the FML is an unashamed book lover, who's happy to share her books with the pastor.
Willow knows what she does is frowned upon by many, but it's how she pays her bills. Her best friend Whitney however is determined to help her and keeps trying to pull her back to church. When Whitney succeeds in getting Willow to go she's pleased she did and finds reason to keep going back. Her problem; she knows she can't have a relationship as they always seem to have an issue with her work, and Captain doesn't allow it, so she's trying to convince herself that he's just a friend.
Pastor Rowan has moved to the church in New Orleans to make a difference and help others. The old pastor gives one bit of advice when he goes on holiday "avoid dating the congregation" but on seeing Willow he's smitten. When he's asked to help someone's friend, he's curious and pleased to find it's Willow. He know's he shouldn't be drawn to her but can't help himself and he'll do everything he can to help her.
"Forgive me Father, for she is my sin."
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a brilliantly written dark romance, with a lovely story, great plot, characters you'll love, drama, forbidden romance, love and spice. Plus the FML is an unashamed book lover, who's happy to share her books with the pastor.
Willow knows what she does is frowned upon by many, but it's how she pays her bills. Her best friend Whitney however is determined to help her and keeps trying to pull her back to church. When Whitney succeeds in getting Willow to go she's pleased she did and finds reason to keep going back. Her problem; she knows she can't have a relationship as they always seem to have an issue with her work, and Captain doesn't allow it, so she's trying to convince herself that he's just a friend.
Pastor Rowan has moved to the church in New Orleans to make a difference and help others. The old pastor gives one bit of advice when he goes on holiday "avoid dating the congregation" but on seeing Willow he's smitten. When he's asked to help someone's friend, he's curious and pleased to find it's Willow. He know's he shouldn't be drawn to her but can't help himself and he'll do everything he can to help her.
"Forgive me Father, for she is my sin."
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 17, 2026
Muddy Waters is a quick read romance that delivers incredible character growth and a fantastic amount of spice. I really enjoyed the central relationship, and I definitely didn't mind seeing a pastor find love—especially a drool-worthy one.
However, the one element that felt a bit off to me was the sheer amount of internal shame Willow carried. Her inner thoughts often leaned a little too far into self-loathing about how "horrible" she was once she started a relationship with Rowan. Even though I understood why she ultimately chose to leave her past behind to be with him, the narrative logic surrounding her past felt a bit heavy on the selective judgment. If sin is sin, the intense focus on the shame of her past angle felt a bit unnecessary, especially when he was perfectly fine being with her. And I should add that Rowan’s reasons for not wanting her to continue her career seemed more “caveman, she’s mind” (and frocking hot, love a possessive man) than judgment for her past.
Watching Willow overcome that internal baggage and grow into the woman she was meant to be was wonderful. Overall, it's a fast, highly enjoyable read with great heat, and I'd definitely recommend it to romance fans who love a protective hero.
However, the one element that felt a bit off to me was the sheer amount of internal shame Willow carried. Her inner thoughts often leaned a little too far into self-loathing about how "horrible" she was once she started a relationship with Rowan. Even though I understood why she ultimately chose to leave her past behind to be with him, the narrative logic surrounding her past felt a bit heavy on the selective judgment. If sin is sin, the intense focus on the shame of her past angle felt a bit unnecessary, especially when he was perfectly fine being with her. And I should add that Rowan’s reasons for not wanting her to continue her career seemed more “caveman, she’s mind” (and frocking hot, love a possessive man) than judgment for her past.
Watching Willow overcome that internal baggage and grow into the woman she was meant to be was wonderful. Overall, it's a fast, highly enjoyable read with great heat, and I'd definitely recommend it to romance fans who love a protective hero.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A Church romance
This is a brilliantly written dark romance, with a lovely story, great plot, characters you'll love, drama, forbidden romance, love and spice. Plus the FML is an unashamed book lover, who's happy to share her books with the pastor.
I also love the new cover.
Willow knows what she does is frowned upon by many, but it's how she pays her bills. Her best friend Whitney however is determined to help her and keeps trying to pull her back to church. When Whitney succeeds in getting Willow to go she's pleased she did and finds reason to keep going back, the Pastor. Her problem; she knows she can't have a relationship as boyfriends always seem to have an issue with her work, and Captain doesn't allow it, so she's trying to convince herself that he's just a friend.
Pastor Rowan has moved to the church in New Orleans to make a difference and help others. The old pastor gives one bit of advice when he goes on holiday "avoid dating the congregation" but on seeing Willow he's smitten. When he's asked to help someone's friend, he's curious and pleased to find it's Willow. He know's he shouldn't be drawn to her but can't help himself and he'll do everything he can to help her.
"Forgive me Father, for she is my sin."
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a brilliantly written dark romance, with a lovely story, great plot, characters you'll love, drama, forbidden romance, love and spice. Plus the FML is an unashamed book lover, who's happy to share her books with the pastor.
I also love the new cover.
Willow knows what she does is frowned upon by many, but it's how she pays her bills. Her best friend Whitney however is determined to help her and keeps trying to pull her back to church. When Whitney succeeds in getting Willow to go she's pleased she did and finds reason to keep going back, the Pastor. Her problem; she knows she can't have a relationship as boyfriends always seem to have an issue with her work, and Captain doesn't allow it, so she's trying to convince herself that he's just a friend.
Pastor Rowan has moved to the church in New Orleans to make a difference and help others. The old pastor gives one bit of advice when he goes on holiday "avoid dating the congregation" but on seeing Willow he's smitten. When he's asked to help someone's friend, he's curious and pleased to find it's Willow. He know's he shouldn't be drawn to her but can't help himself and he'll do everything he can to help her.
"Forgive me Father, for she is my sin."
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 4, 2025
I really enjoyed this intriguing read that explores the darker aspects of society and how those can make us "fall" and "lose ourselves". I particularly enjoyed how that exploration translates into an impossible romance with believable if crazily high stakes. I also appreciate that the author manages to examine these examples of our flawed human nature without judging the characters and instead offering grace, acceptance, and understanding. That is so rare in a book with such a strong religious undercurrent - this last not really a surprise considering one of the characters is a priest.
My only gripe with the story is that this author consistently gets the Middle English conjugation relevant to thou and thine wrong, which was just irritating by the end of it because it's so jarring to me, especially since it was pretty much a situation at the start of every chapter.
Otherwise, it's an excellent contemporary romance read that provides great food for thought and offers a wonderful reminder that it isn't our place to judge, and - far more importantly - how much good could we do if we stopped judging and instead offered a helping hand?
My only gripe with the story is that this author consistently gets the Middle English conjugation relevant to thou and thine wrong, which was just irritating by the end of it because it's so jarring to me, especially since it was pretty much a situation at the start of every chapter.
Otherwise, it's an excellent contemporary romance read that provides great food for thought and offers a wonderful reminder that it isn't our place to judge, and - far more importantly - how much good could we do if we stopped judging and instead offered a helping hand?
August 1, 2026
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Hot damn! “Father forgive me for I have sinned” is right! D.V. does it again with the tension, the spice, the chemistry. It drew me in and kept my attention the entire time. I read it in a single sitting. Even though there was a lot of spice, it didn’t pull away from the story. I feel like the storyline was easy to follow and it was original. I loved the characters and how their relationships grew and developed.
I loved how Willow (FMC) was able to become more comfortable with herself and was able to find something that she didn’t feel ashamed of. Rowan (MMC) was sexy and easily a lovable character. I love how they were able to work through their relationship issues and help one another through their struggles. I honestly wasn’t a fan of Willow’s friend, Whitney. She definitely was the typical religious, “I am holier than though” personality. There were times where it felt Whitney was condescending towards Willow and looked down on her because of their differences in lifestyles.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It kept my attention and it was unique. I 10/10 recommend.
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Hot damn! “Father forgive me for I have sinned” is right! D.V. does it again with the tension, the spice, the chemistry. It drew me in and kept my attention the entire time. I read it in a single sitting. Even though there was a lot of spice, it didn’t pull away from the story. I feel like the storyline was easy to follow and it was original. I loved the characters and how their relationships grew and developed.
I loved how Willow (FMC) was able to become more comfortable with herself and was able to find something that she didn’t feel ashamed of. Rowan (MMC) was sexy and easily a lovable character. I love how they were able to work through their relationship issues and help one another through their struggles. I honestly wasn’t a fan of Willow’s friend, Whitney. She definitely was the typical religious, “I am holier than though” personality. There were times where it felt Whitney was condescending towards Willow and looked down on her because of their differences in lifestyles.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It kept my attention and it was unique. I 10/10 recommend.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 🌟
This book tells the love story of Willow, a woman struggling with a life of sin, and Rowan, a devoted man of God.
Their connection begins when Willow's friend, Whitney, convinces her to attend church and meet the new pastor. From there, Willow and Rowan quickly develop feelings for one another, and their relationship becomes the heart of the story.
With Rowan's support and guidance, Willow finds her way back to the light, and their love continues to grow.
While the church plays a significant role in the novel and the chapter titles reflect its religious themes, the faith-based elements never felt overly preachy or overwhelming.
Both main characters are given meaningful backstories, adding depth to their journey.
The story highlights the idea that, with the right support, compassion, and encouragement, anyone can find redemption and a better path forward.
Readers should be aware that the book contains themes of violence and prostitution. However, at its core, this is a story about love, forgiveness, and hope triumphing over adversity.
Overall, this was a sweet and uplifting read with a happily-ever-after ending not only for the main characters but for those around them as well.
I gave it 4.5 stars. While the religious content was a little heavier than I personally prefer, it wasn't enough to diminish my enjoyment of the story or put me off finishing the book.
This book tells the love story of Willow, a woman struggling with a life of sin, and Rowan, a devoted man of God.
Their connection begins when Willow's friend, Whitney, convinces her to attend church and meet the new pastor. From there, Willow and Rowan quickly develop feelings for one another, and their relationship becomes the heart of the story.
With Rowan's support and guidance, Willow finds her way back to the light, and their love continues to grow.
While the church plays a significant role in the novel and the chapter titles reflect its religious themes, the faith-based elements never felt overly preachy or overwhelming.
Both main characters are given meaningful backstories, adding depth to their journey.
The story highlights the idea that, with the right support, compassion, and encouragement, anyone can find redemption and a better path forward.
Readers should be aware that the book contains themes of violence and prostitution. However, at its core, this is a story about love, forgiveness, and hope triumphing over adversity.
Overall, this was a sweet and uplifting read with a happily-ever-after ending not only for the main characters but for those around them as well.
I gave it 4.5 stars. While the religious content was a little heavier than I personally prefer, it wasn't enough to diminish my enjoyment of the story or put me off finishing the book.
May 9, 2023
Willow Ashley does questionable things to pay her bills, but she doesn't know another way to pay her bills. She's got her own place out in the sticks, and she's content with her life. Her best friend would like nothing better than to get her to go to church with her. When she finally does, it changes Willow's life but not in the way she expected.
Rowan Elsher is the handsome new pastor who moved to New Orleans in hopes to be able to do something good for the people in the congregation. When a young woman approaches him to speak with him about her friend, he agrees to help, but one look at Willow has him thinking about all the rules he wants to break with her, beginning with the one about not getting involved with anyone in his congregation.
This story was just the right amount of dark mixed with humor and sexy. Rowan is the hot pastor, and Willow is the one who brings out all his deepest desires. It's a perfect combination to make a great dark romance. I loved it and look forward to the next dark romance she writes.
Rowan Elsher is the handsome new pastor who moved to New Orleans in hopes to be able to do something good for the people in the congregation. When a young woman approaches him to speak with him about her friend, he agrees to help, but one look at Willow has him thinking about all the rules he wants to break with her, beginning with the one about not getting involved with anyone in his congregation.
This story was just the right amount of dark mixed with humor and sexy. Rowan is the hot pastor, and Willow is the one who brings out all his deepest desires. It's a perfect combination to make a great dark romance. I loved it and look forward to the next dark romance she writes.
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