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Alex Turner has his life completely planned out - he's going to get his law degree, transition into politics, and marry his boyfriend before they adopt their 2.5 kids. He's going places, and he's never, ever going to let the ghosts of his past slow him down. Of course, he hasn't prepared for his boyfriend to dump him and his fraternity to become embroiled in a hazing scandal, or for the most painful bit of a past he thought was behind him to come calling him back to his old hometown. His perfect life is quickly going to hell... now he needs something he can believe in.
Leo Saint-Claire has always known that he would devote his life to the priesthood. From his first time serving on the altar in middle school, he's dreamed and planned to spend his life devoted to God and his service. That he is also gay is of no consequence; he's not running from one life - he's embracing another. Meeting one of his old childhood friends at a soup kitchen shakes him to his core. Alex was his first kiss - his only kiss. But Leo isn't concerned with romantic entanglements--so how can he reconcile the demands of his faith with the demands of his heart?
To Leo, running into Alex again just months from taking his vows feels like a test from God... the ultimate temptation. To Alex, being reunited with a childhood friend may be exactly what he needs. But the passion between them burns bright and hot, and what seems like a simple fling gives way to true feelings. Is faith enough to keep them together... or apart?
While this title is the third entry into the Virtue & Vice series, it can also be read as a standalone novel. This book was previously published under the title 'Faith' and has been re-edited for release.
Leo Saint-Claire has always known that he would devote his life to the priesthood. From his first time serving on the altar in middle school, he's dreamed and planned to spend his life devoted to God and his service. That he is also gay is of no consequence; he's not running from one life - he's embracing another. Meeting one of his old childhood friends at a soup kitchen shakes him to his core. Alex was his first kiss - his only kiss. But Leo isn't concerned with romantic entanglements--so how can he reconcile the demands of his faith with the demands of his heart?
To Leo, running into Alex again just months from taking his vows feels like a test from God... the ultimate temptation. To Alex, being reunited with a childhood friend may be exactly what he needs. But the passion between them burns bright and hot, and what seems like a simple fling gives way to true feelings. Is faith enough to keep them together... or apart?
While this title is the third entry into the Virtue & Vice series, it can also be read as a standalone novel. This book was previously published under the title 'Faith' and has been re-edited for release.
189 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 24, 2020
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18 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 1, 2022
4 stars
This is a really beautiful book, I wasn't sure I was going to read it because I'm not particularly fond of forbidden romance (especially the ones involving religion), but I'm glad I gave it a chance.
What I like most is the fact that Leo is already having doubts about joining the priesthood: this isn't the classic story, when man of faith meets a person, falls in love and quit the Church. There is an internal turmoil for both of them, for different reasons, but still they were anguished well before they reconnected.
And during the time they spend together, they still don't have all the answers to their doubts. I found it very authentic.
In this story there are great side characters too, doctor Diane and Father Gabriel, who both help Leo and Alex to navigate through their feelings and their concerns.
The whole Father Martin issue was heartbreaking, I'm so glad the author didn't include any details of the abuse. Alex POV about that was devastating enough.
The one thing who unsettled me and kept me from giving 5 stars was that . Alex was the experienced one between them, he shouldn't have done that, especially because he didn't discuss any health repercussions with Leo first. He briefly thinks about that, when they are in Alex's childhood room, but he just keep going. That was not right, in my opinon.
Anyway, I recommend to read this book, so far it's the best of the series.
I'm sorry for potential grammar mistakes, I'm not a native english speaker.
This is a really beautiful book, I wasn't sure I was going to read it because I'm not particularly fond of forbidden romance (especially the ones involving religion), but I'm glad I gave it a chance.
What I like most is the fact that Leo is already having doubts about joining the priesthood: this isn't the classic story, when man of faith meets a person, falls in love and quit the Church. There is an internal turmoil for both of them, for different reasons, but still they were anguished well before they reconnected.
And during the time they spend together, they still don't have all the answers to their doubts. I found it very authentic.
In this story there are great side characters too, doctor Diane and Father Gabriel, who both help Leo and Alex to navigate through their feelings and their concerns.
The whole Father Martin issue was heartbreaking, I'm so glad the author didn't include any details of the abuse. Alex POV about that was devastating enough.
The one thing who unsettled me and kept me from giving 5 stars was that . Alex was the experienced one between them, he shouldn't have done that, especially because he didn't discuss any health repercussions with Leo first. He briefly thinks about that, when they are in Alex's childhood room, but he just keep going. That was not right, in my opinon.
Anyway, I recommend to read this book, so far it's the best of the series.
I'm sorry for potential grammar mistakes, I'm not a native english speaker.
May 24, 2022
Broke and Healed my heart
I waited a long time to read this book because I wasn't sure I wanted to delve into the religious side of it. However, the author made it easy to read. You could see the internal fight Leo was having. Same for Alex. The two of them were like fire.
The sexual abuse by the priest, though not descriptive, tore at my heart strings. No one should ever have to go through that. I'm glad that part of the story wrapped up efficiently.
Leo and Alex are meant for each other. They complete each other pretty perfectly.
I waited a long time to read this book because I wasn't sure I wanted to delve into the religious side of it. However, the author made it easy to read. You could see the internal fight Leo was having. Same for Alex. The two of them were like fire.
The sexual abuse by the priest, though not descriptive, tore at my heart strings. No one should ever have to go through that. I'm glad that part of the story wrapped up efficiently.
Leo and Alex are meant for each other. They complete each other pretty perfectly.
April 25, 2022
these two were adorable.
Alex and Leo. We’re childhoods friends. Got caught kissing in church. Alex went one way Leo went another. Years later they meet again in a soup kitchen. Feeling are getting defined. Secrets are revealed. A priest be accused of inappropriate behavior with minors. Leo wanted to be a priest but is now questioning his faith. Alex questioning he choices in partners. These two end up hooking up to see where this relationship will go.
Alex and Leo. We’re childhoods friends. Got caught kissing in church. Alex went one way Leo went another. Years later they meet again in a soup kitchen. Feeling are getting defined. Secrets are revealed. A priest be accused of inappropriate behavior with minors. Leo wanted to be a priest but is now questioning his faith. Alex questioning he choices in partners. These two end up hooking up to see where this relationship will go.
March 29, 2022
😍😍😍😍
Such a good book!!! Heartbreaking too! So sad that stories like this are all too real!! But I'm so glad for the ending!!!
Such a good book!!! Heartbreaking too! So sad that stories like this are all too real!! But I'm so glad for the ending!!!
August 14, 2020
And I will say I had trouble reading this book about religion because I had been burned before in the past by those considered "devout" Catholics. I pushed through to the end, I will say the authors gave this book justice to the issue being dealt with. Alex is dealing with a lot when he meets Leo again, a friend who was an alter boy with him and it brings up memories that Alex is dealing with in therapy. Leo, is someone who chooses to have faith and goes to become a priest, something that effects Alex deeply due to his past, but he still is drawn to Leo and the unresolved tension between them remains. Leo decides to follow his desires and see where the path will lead him. I liked how Leo had his representation of sex in a religious form, sometimes was good and others bad while he dealt with his goals. As Leo and Alex grow closer they each push each other to deal with issues that they have unresolved. I liked how near the end they worked as a team.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews