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The Nolans #3
Hot Under His Collar
He's forbidden fruit and she's a rule follower, but their connection is something to believe in.
Father Patrick Dooley joined the clergy to fulfill his mother's dying wish. While it once gave him purpose, he not so sure it's his calling anymore. But it's all he's ever known and he's not sure what he wants to do with his life if he decides to leave the priesthood. How can he reconcile his faith with his growing desire to live a different life?
Sasha Finerghty was content to admire Patrick from afar while she dated men who were perfect on paper and wrong in real life. But with Patrick's church in need of funding to keep a community program afloat, she's just the girl to solve their fundraising problem. Spending more time together only fuels Sasha's crush on him, who finds a kindred soul in her.
The more Patrick gets to know Sasha, the easier it is for him to see a future unfolding for them. But it will take a leap of faith to turn their friendship into something more, and neither of them are quite ready to make the jump.
Father Patrick Dooley joined the clergy to fulfill his mother's dying wish. While it once gave him purpose, he not so sure it's his calling anymore. But it's all he's ever known and he's not sure what he wants to do with his life if he decides to leave the priesthood. How can he reconcile his faith with his growing desire to live a different life?
Sasha Finerghty was content to admire Patrick from afar while she dated men who were perfect on paper and wrong in real life. But with Patrick's church in need of funding to keep a community program afloat, she's just the girl to solve their fundraising problem. Spending more time together only fuels Sasha's crush on him, who finds a kindred soul in her.
The more Patrick gets to know Sasha, the easier it is for him to see a future unfolding for them. But it will take a leap of faith to turn their friendship into something more, and neither of them are quite ready to make the jump.
304 pages, Paperback
First published July 20, 2021
72 people are currently reading
6160 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 551 reviews
January 24, 2023
i was looking for Hot Priest but this was more Lukewarm-Microwaved-Pasta-at-Chilis Priest.
in other words, it wasn't particularly hot. it certainly wasn't terrible but it wasn't very memorable, which feels weird for a romance with a priest hero. i think the point of this one was like forbidden romance meets emotionally vulnerable/damaged characters who grow together despite the forbidden nature of their will they/won't they relationship. but it didn't resonate with me like i think it wanted to. also the one sex scene was really drawn out and not exactly sexy. again, not terrible, didn't hate, but i think if i read a hot priest romance again (which i will be doing right now actually) i want it to be raunchy freak nasty shit.
also if a man kept a lock of my hair that i didn't explicitly give to him i think i'd be a little freaked out and not horny but hey that's just me.
in other words, it wasn't particularly hot. it certainly wasn't terrible but it wasn't very memorable, which feels weird for a romance with a priest hero. i think the point of this one was like forbidden romance meets emotionally vulnerable/damaged characters who grow together despite the forbidden nature of their will they/won't they relationship. but it didn't resonate with me like i think it wanted to. also the one sex scene was really drawn out and not exactly sexy. again, not terrible, didn't hate, but i think if i read a hot priest romance again (which i will be doing right now actually) i want it to be raunchy freak nasty shit.
also if a man kept a lock of my hair that i didn't explicitly give to him i think i'd be a little freaked out and not horny but hey that's just me.
March 26, 2021
Pants-feelings rule the day in this forbidden romance, where two very hot people find each other very hot and eventually succumb to the hotness, consequences be damned.
Father Patrick Dooley is "not like those other priests" and fights to keep a queer teacher at his pre-K program, swears, works at a bar, and has other friends and family who live lives counter to the Catholic Church's tenants. It felt clear Patrick chose this path because of his dying mother's wish and fear of being rejected ever again from an emotional relationship (he's dumped by his girlfriend for embracing religion after his mother's death), and his attachment to the Church felt very situational to me. Being with Sasha didn't make him closer to his faith (see Priest by Sierra Simone). Patrick likes being "the guy who helps."
Sasha's terrible family was also quite a ride. From her accepting her parents' paying for her condo and lifestyle, and funding her company, putting on this act to continue pleasing them, it was uncomfortable to read. I hope for the best for Sasha after she tells them off, but going from this damaging relationship to living with the man who "gave up his collar for you" was a big jump, and I'm not sure I bought the HEA.
I'm glad abuses of the Church were mentioned, but wish more work had been done to address these and how being a part of that system, even if Patrick made "the choices of his heart" also made Patrick complicit.
As a severely lapsed Catholic, I did find some resonance, but overall this felt more like a shallow revel in the taboo.
thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.
Father Patrick Dooley is "not like those other priests" and fights to keep a queer teacher at his pre-K program, swears, works at a bar, and has other friends and family who live lives counter to the Catholic Church's tenants. It felt clear Patrick chose this path because of his dying mother's wish and fear of being rejected ever again from an emotional relationship (he's dumped by his girlfriend for embracing religion after his mother's death), and his attachment to the Church felt very situational to me. Being with Sasha didn't make him closer to his faith (see Priest by Sierra Simone). Patrick likes being "the guy who helps."
Sasha's terrible family was also quite a ride. From her accepting her parents' paying for her condo and lifestyle, and funding her company, putting on this act to continue pleasing them, it was uncomfortable to read. I hope for the best for Sasha after she tells them off, but going from this damaging relationship to living with the man who "gave up his collar for you" was a big jump, and I'm not sure I bought the HEA.
I'm glad abuses of the Church were mentioned, but wish more work had been done to address these and how being a part of that system, even if Patrick made "the choices of his heart" also made Patrick complicit.
As a severely lapsed Catholic, I did find some resonance, but overall this felt more like a shallow revel in the taboo.
thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.
August 2, 2021
Well....I love Fleabag season 2 so I was more open to a romance with a priest character than I would have been otherwise.
For my tastes, I should have just watched Fleabag again. Many of the events in the first half of the book seem at best an homage to Fleabag and at worst a rip off of Fleabag.
The attraction between Sasha and (Father) Patrick seems purely physical although he admires her work abilities I guess. So even though you learn about Patrick's education and intellect, it doesn't figure into their relationship really. As the reader I felt I knew more about him than Sasha did. The romance storyline itself is a slow burn and I was not impressed with the ending, especially when the HEA I expected turned into a "now let's make babies" after one weekend romp. It's like the least sexy thing that could happen in a romance. I'd prefer an unhappy ending over that!
And the cover gives me nightmares!
I'm sure there are readers for this but I need to go hear "it'll pass" instead.
For my tastes, I should have just watched Fleabag again. Many of the events in the first half of the book seem at best an homage to Fleabag and at worst a rip off of Fleabag.
The attraction between Sasha and (Father) Patrick seems purely physical although he admires her work abilities I guess. So even though you learn about Patrick's education and intellect, it doesn't figure into their relationship really. As the reader I felt I knew more about him than Sasha did. The romance storyline itself is a slow burn and I was not impressed with the ending, especially when the HEA I expected turned into a "now let's make babies" after one weekend romp. It's like the least sexy thing that could happen in a romance. I'd prefer an unhappy ending over that!
And the cover gives me nightmares!
I'm sure there are readers for this but I need to go hear "it'll pass" instead.
April 11, 2021
I love forbidden romance, guilt, and Fleabag's second season, so was I excited a pro romance novel went there? Absolutely.
This was matched by my disappointment with how dreadfully boring and just...blech this was.
I did not realize upon picking this up (for the priest kink) that it was part of a series, but it is to the extent that Christopher does little to introduce the characters and their world; there are so many allusions to things that clearly happened in prior books. Also everyone is filthy rich and a) I hate them and b) it makes it seem silly that the priest and his bland love interest come together because they're desperately trying to raise $25,000 for the church's school. You're best friends with a billionaire. AHEM.
Anyway, the main characters are instantly in lust with each other but have no chemistry, the female protag's family is cartoonishly awful, and again: all the side characters (and the female lead) are apparently loaded but constantly reference pop culture and social justice issues in a pandering way. Relatable! There's even a lesbian nun who loves Derry Girls! I'm surprised Fleabag wasn't straight-out evoked.
What's there's not: any desperate longing and shame and guilt or any of the things that would make this kind of romance actually interesting. So here's my confession: I finished just to be spiteful. And I don't repent.
This was matched by my disappointment with how dreadfully boring and just...blech this was.
I did not realize upon picking this up (for the priest kink) that it was part of a series, but it is to the extent that Christopher does little to introduce the characters and their world; there are so many allusions to things that clearly happened in prior books. Also everyone is filthy rich and a) I hate them and b) it makes it seem silly that the priest and his bland love interest come together because they're desperately trying to raise $25,000 for the church's school. You're best friends with a billionaire. AHEM.
Anyway, the main characters are instantly in lust with each other but have no chemistry, the female protag's family is cartoonishly awful, and again: all the side characters (and the female lead) are apparently loaded but constantly reference pop culture and social justice issues in a pandering way. Relatable! There's even a lesbian nun who loves Derry Girls! I'm surprised Fleabag wasn't straight-out evoked.
What's there's not: any desperate longing and shame and guilt or any of the things that would make this kind of romance actually interesting. So here's my confession: I finished just to be spiteful. And I don't repent.
April 21, 2023
This has been my least favourite in the series so far. Which is annoying since I loved the other two.
But I skim-read a sex scene, and if that ain’t a red flag I don’t know what is. If anything, because this book was boring me, I should’ve been able to skip to the good parts and that should’ve given me something. But it didn’t. I honestly did not care for these characters.
They were somewhat well developed, I liked the writing style, but I struggled to connect to them. Their romance felt non-existent. I failed to see why they were in love. I didn’t really get to see the process of them falling for each other. Neither did I understand why he left priesthood for the heroine. He had nothing going for himself.
And for a priest romance, the forbidden element lacked. My anxiety should’ve been through the roof. But this was beyond mellow.
*trigger warnings for loss of a parent/toxic parents*
But I skim-read a sex scene, and if that ain’t a red flag I don’t know what is. If anything, because this book was boring me, I should’ve been able to skip to the good parts and that should’ve given me something. But it didn’t. I honestly did not care for these characters.
They were somewhat well developed, I liked the writing style, but I struggled to connect to them. Their romance felt non-existent. I failed to see why they were in love. I didn’t really get to see the process of them falling for each other. Neither did I understand why he left priesthood for the heroine. He had nothing going for himself.
And for a priest romance, the forbidden element lacked. My anxiety should’ve been through the roof. But this was beyond mellow.
*trigger warnings for loss of a parent/toxic parents*
May 14, 2023
Babes I had to DNF I’m bored..
May 22, 2022
First reread of the year and this is still PERFECT!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶/5
Did I just...give five stars to a romcom? 
Look yall know I have a priest kink, always have, always will. God Bless the Catholic church for ruining my life and making it more interesting at the same time. I embrace that side of me fully. Religious trauma is real, I have all the father issues.
Well, forgive me daddy for I have sinned. This book was ⭐️ IMMACULATE. ⭐️ Funny, witty, intelligent, incredible sexual tension, incredible inner dialogues that were realistic, insightful and just fucking HILARIOUS. I could tell this was written by someone who has also had their own experience with religion and this hit way too close to home.
Everything I usually hate in a romcom was non-existent here: no cringy dialogues, no miscommunication trope, no surprise baby, the ending was extremely sweet, I almost vomited but the entire thing leading to that ending was PERFECTION.
To be completely honest here, this book was so good that the HEA made me swoon as well. I know, I know. Such an original story, Andie told this tale with such an intelligent humor, with the right amount of sexual tension, spice (I wish we had gotten more sex scenes than just one at the end, but I can't even complain about that either, because the slow burn was soooooo worth).
Easy to read, romantic, inspirational with the most incredible flow of ideas and inner dialogues I have ever read. I can't believe I am saying this but this is my favorite romcom of this entire year. I have no idea why this isn't more popular. I think we have too many religious people in this country lmao.
Look, take it or leave it. I have a priest kink and I love anything priest related so I am biased AF. I also listened to this on Audible and Andrew Eiden's narration set my panties on fire. That is all, ladies and gents. I had a fucking blast, 5 out of 5 daddy priest starts. 
July 28, 2025
Ahem. Let me say this with my whole chest. IHATED this book.
Spoilers in the review but don't bother reading this book. please!
Sasha: I cannot stand her. She drives me crazy. Her whole struggle was that she has to be polite and kind?? Because her mom wants her to be? I am not trying to diminish her struggles with her family, but throughout the book she gets mad at other people for saying their life is hard– her sister divulges her struggles and Sasha’s response is “Shut up!!! We have money! You’ve never had to work! Your life isn’t hard! We’re White, imagine how hard life would be if you were a person of color!” but then in her head she won’t shut up with: “I’ve been trapped for so long!!!! I'm so tired of pleasing my mom and dad who are paying for my house and business, it’s so hard being me!!”. Be SO for real right now babe. First Sasha I've “met” with no depth.
Patrick: I thought I could escape a “not like other girls” character but no such luck for me. Patrick not like other guys Dooley was gross for so many reasons but my biggest issue with his character is that he was NOT like other priests🙅♂️🙅♂️⛪️🛐❗️🙅♂️🥩🧩 He swears and wears flannel and sometimes has a beard and wants to have sex with someone!!!! Staaaawpp🤭, omg where can I find me a man like him😫😫😫
Shut up.
The romance:Chemistry? Do we know her? Nah.
I think the author decided that good chemistry between the main characters wasn't necessary, so she cut it from the book. Bold move and I don’t respect it. First off, my issue with the romance, (which is entirely personal,) but I did not enjoy reading about someone named Sasha, as that is my name. Made me extremely uncomfortable lol. Also I hated her so that made it worse. As an ambassador for Sasha's, we do not claim her.
But the biggest problem with this romance book was that the romance was quite possibly the weakest point. I wasn't rooting for Patrick and Sasha because they were both so lame and unlikeable AND they had no chemistry. I couldn't even see why they liked each other.
The Smut: I read this book (and stuck through it) because I was expecting some hard core kinky ass smut; I am a simple woman okay? Don't @ me. (Also tho— anyone reading a romance book with a priest/religious trope has to be anticipating something crazy right?? I mean the forbidden love is the appeal, the whole point!) I was expecting a priest kink?? Idk SOMETHING, and all throughout the book there were insinuations that: yes, crazy smut is coming. (Patrick had a whole shower fantasy involving choking?? Which never came up again.) Both characters would not stop talking about how anytime they even SEE each other they virtually combust with desire and then the smut scene finally FINALLY came and it was the most watered-down shit. It honestly is the reason why this book went from 2 stars to 1. Had me screaming because I read this TRASH book and for what?? This book has possibly the most flowery sex I've ever read. The whole scene (yes, just the ONE) was just a snoozefest of Patrick going on and on about how "sex with Sasha is like a religious experience....oh love! LOVE!!! wow girl I could do this for the rest of my life!…..and I will! and I WILL! let me pop a baby inside this bitch lets GOOOOOOOO" That’s a pretty accurate summary by me you're welcome– need I say more?
The Conflict: The conflict was so stupid. (I can't even think of a better word. This book killed all my brain cells.) The whole issue was that:
- If Sasha tells him her feelings and he rejects her they can't be friends cause it'll be too awkward 👉👈🥺Even though they legit never interacted before the bake sale (irrelevant but it's why they started hanging out) and if it's awkward she can get her business partner to do it for her lol so what are you even losing girly
- He can't be with her cause he's a priest, which, i'll admit is a bit of a problem
But let’s be so serious right now. At your BIG age girl.😐Let’s be adults right now. GO CHAT WITH THE HOLY MAN CONFESS YOUR SINS TO THE FATHER ITS NOT THAT HARD There’s actually a whole system which has been working for centuries to make it easy for you to do that!
On to the actual biggest issue with this book. Its performative progressiveness and White savior complex.
Diversity/Progressiveness: This was what I hated most. The thing I noticed first was that this book has a MAJOR White savior complex. The whole book's premise is that a pre-K is being shut and our two helpful White characters need to save all the "Black and Brown kids" (yes, that is a direct quote from the book.) It felt so gross and wrong. Similarly, something that took me out was the fact that Sasha's best friend (Hannah) isn't White. I literally didn't know that until Hannah was giving birth and Sasha was like "Do you know the mortality rates of women of color when giving birth??!" Phone was thrown. Also notice: the only character who is super angry and “isn't bossy” just "knows what she wants" is Hannah, conveniently the only person of color and a Black woman. Yeah…
And, throughout the whole book both Patrick and Sasha kept having these little thoughts reminding the reader how woke they are?? Like "wow the catholic church is fucked up because of this" or "damn that person is so homophobic.....but not me! I loooooovee lesbians!!!!!" It got to a point where I was wondering if the author was trying to cover for something.
Also (yes, there are a lot of ‘also’s), Patrick. What's up babe? There were way to many instances where you described Sasha as similar to a child. Why are you attracted to her because she reminds you of a little kid? I hate you. Turned me off him almost immediately.
There are way more instances of this and there’s also loads of stuff that felt icky which I didn’t even cover because I don’t feel like it rn. This book sucked, don’t read it
"I wouldn’t be okay if I lost her. I know that. But I know someday I’ll lose her, or she’ll lose me. Our kid will lose both of us. But we’re here now that’s what matters.”
(The way neither Patrick nor Sasha said this quote💀)
Overall all I got out of this book(/learned) was the fact that cannot spell the word "preist" to save my life. Priest. Whatever.
Spoilers in the review but don't bother reading this book. please!
Sasha: I cannot stand her. She drives me crazy. Her whole struggle was that she has to be polite and kind?? Because her mom wants her to be? I am not trying to diminish her struggles with her family, but throughout the book she gets mad at other people for saying their life is hard– her sister divulges her struggles and Sasha’s response is “Shut up!!! We have money! You’ve never had to work! Your life isn’t hard! We’re White, imagine how hard life would be if you were a person of color!” but then in her head she won’t shut up with: “I’ve been trapped for so long!!!! I'm so tired of pleasing my mom and dad who are paying for my house and business, it’s so hard being me!!”. Be SO for real right now babe. First Sasha I've “met” with no depth.
Patrick: I thought I could escape a “not like other girls” character but no such luck for me. Patrick not like other guys Dooley was gross for so many reasons but my biggest issue with his character is that he was NOT like other priests🙅♂️🙅♂️⛪️🛐❗️🙅♂️🥩🧩 He swears and wears flannel and sometimes has a beard and wants to have sex with someone!!!! Staaaawpp🤭, omg where can I find me a man like him😫😫😫
Shut up.
The romance:Chemistry? Do we know her? Nah.
I think the author decided that good chemistry between the main characters wasn't necessary, so she cut it from the book. Bold move and I don’t respect it. First off, my issue with the romance, (which is entirely personal,) but I did not enjoy reading about someone named Sasha, as that is my name. Made me extremely uncomfortable lol. Also I hated her so that made it worse. As an ambassador for Sasha's, we do not claim her.
But the biggest problem with this romance book was that the romance was quite possibly the weakest point. I wasn't rooting for Patrick and Sasha because they were both so lame and unlikeable AND they had no chemistry. I couldn't even see why they liked each other.
The Smut: I read this book (and stuck through it) because I was expecting some hard core kinky ass smut; I am a simple woman okay? Don't @ me. (Also tho— anyone reading a romance book with a priest/religious trope has to be anticipating something crazy right?? I mean the forbidden love is the appeal, the whole point!) I was expecting a priest kink?? Idk SOMETHING, and all throughout the book there were insinuations that: yes, crazy smut is coming. (Patrick had a whole shower fantasy involving choking?? Which never came up again.) Both characters would not stop talking about how anytime they even SEE each other they virtually combust with desire and then the smut scene finally FINALLY came and it was the most watered-down shit. It honestly is the reason why this book went from 2 stars to 1. Had me screaming because I read this TRASH book and for what?? This book has possibly the most flowery sex I've ever read. The whole scene (yes, just the ONE) was just a snoozefest of Patrick going on and on about how "sex with Sasha is like a religious experience....oh love! LOVE!!! wow girl I could do this for the rest of my life!…..and I will! and I WILL! let me pop a baby inside this bitch lets GOOOOOOOO" That’s a pretty accurate summary by me you're welcome– need I say more?
The Conflict: The conflict was so stupid. (I can't even think of a better word. This book killed all my brain cells.) The whole issue was that:
- If Sasha tells him her feelings and he rejects her they can't be friends cause it'll be too awkward 👉👈🥺Even though they legit never interacted before the bake sale (irrelevant but it's why they started hanging out) and if it's awkward she can get her business partner to do it for her lol so what are you even losing girly
- He can't be with her cause he's a priest, which, i'll admit is a bit of a problem
But let’s be so serious right now. At your BIG age girl.😐Let’s be adults right now. GO CHAT WITH THE HOLY MAN CONFESS YOUR SINS TO THE FATHER ITS NOT THAT HARD There’s actually a whole system which has been working for centuries to make it easy for you to do that!
On to the actual biggest issue with this book. Its performative progressiveness and White savior complex.
Diversity/Progressiveness: This was what I hated most. The thing I noticed first was that this book has a MAJOR White savior complex. The whole book's premise is that a pre-K is being shut and our two helpful White characters need to save all the "Black and Brown kids" (yes, that is a direct quote from the book.) It felt so gross and wrong. Similarly, something that took me out was the fact that Sasha's best friend (Hannah) isn't White. I literally didn't know that until Hannah was giving birth and Sasha was like "Do you know the mortality rates of women of color when giving birth??!" Phone was thrown. Also notice: the only character who is super angry and “isn't bossy” just "knows what she wants" is Hannah, conveniently the only person of color and a Black woman. Yeah…
And, throughout the whole book both Patrick and Sasha kept having these little thoughts reminding the reader how woke they are?? Like "wow the catholic church is fucked up because of this" or "damn that person is so homophobic.....but not me! I loooooovee lesbians!!!!!" It got to a point where I was wondering if the author was trying to cover for something.
Also (yes, there are a lot of ‘also’s), Patrick. What's up babe? There were way to many instances where you described Sasha as similar to a child. Why are you attracted to her because she reminds you of a little kid? I hate you. Turned me off him almost immediately.
There are way more instances of this and there’s also loads of stuff that felt icky which I didn’t even cover because I don’t feel like it rn. This book sucked, don’t read it
"I wouldn’t be okay if I lost her. I know that. But I know someday I’ll lose her, or she’ll lose me. Our kid will lose both of us. But we’re here now that’s what matters.”
(The way neither Patrick nor Sasha said this quote💀)
Overall all I got out of this book(/learned) was the fact that cannot spell the word "preist" to save my life. Priest. Whatever.
July 18, 2021
This is an alternate POV book that I wish I could forget:
Being inside the head of a priest who’s thinking about the solving the kids pre-k challenges, and then suddenly shifts to complaining about his hard on, and imagining choking the heroine during sex is... something else.
This book basically dares you to be scandalized by talking about pegging in the rectory, and making out in the church office while there's a nun outside. Yet, even with all this, it manages to be very boring. Nothing really happens, and the 1.5 sex scenes are possibly the least sexy ones I have ever read.
Being inside the head of a priest who’s thinking about the solving the kids pre-k challenges, and then suddenly shifts to complaining about his hard on, and imagining choking the heroine during sex is... something else.
This book basically dares you to be scandalized by talking about pegging in the rectory, and making out in the church office while there's a nun outside. Yet, even with all this, it manages to be very boring. Nothing really happens, and the 1.5 sex scenes are possibly the least sexy ones I have ever read.
June 23, 2021
“Forbidden fruit would be Sasha’s downfall. And it would come either in the form of mangoes, which would give her anaphylactic shock, or the insane amount of lust she felt every time she laid eyes on Father Patrick Dooley.”
What a pleasant surprise this book was! This was my first AJC book, and now I just need to go ahead and read her backlist. I love her humor that comes out in her writing.
Patrick & Sasha’s chemistry, banter and tension between them was so thick, and delicious. I love when a priests collar gets too tight because of a woman. I also love a priest that can get behind his Dad’s bar, roll up his sleeves and pour Drinks up, and even sling some back for himself.
I absolutely loved the internal dialogue that the characters had within their own heads about each other. Patrick is everything I love in a hero.
Example:
“He wondered if she’d like him to wrap his hand around her collarbone, mimicking choking her. He didn’t want to do that, but he sort of did. And he wasn’t going to allow himself to think about how much that turned him on—the thought of her pupils dilating at being totally at his mercy.”
The part I really knew that AJC was cool was her mention of my fave Lisa Kleypas book boyfriend, Derek Craven. I love him to no end.
This book comes out on 7/20. Make sure to add to your tbr, and preorder this fun book!
What a pleasant surprise this book was! This was my first AJC book, and now I just need to go ahead and read her backlist. I love her humor that comes out in her writing.
Patrick & Sasha’s chemistry, banter and tension between them was so thick, and delicious. I love when a priests collar gets too tight because of a woman. I also love a priest that can get behind his Dad’s bar, roll up his sleeves and pour Drinks up, and even sling some back for himself.
I absolutely loved the internal dialogue that the characters had within their own heads about each other. Patrick is everything I love in a hero.
Example:
“He wondered if she’d like him to wrap his hand around her collarbone, mimicking choking her. He didn’t want to do that, but he sort of did. And he wasn’t going to allow himself to think about how much that turned him on—the thought of her pupils dilating at being totally at his mercy.”
The part I really knew that AJC was cool was her mention of my fave Lisa Kleypas book boyfriend, Derek Craven. I love him to no end.
This book comes out on 7/20. Make sure to add to your tbr, and preorder this fun book!
April 25, 2021
Well, this certainly gets points for originality! It's a completely fascinating storyline that - let's be honest here - you're either going to love or hate. The concept is not for everyone, but it makes for an interesting, unique read that I had no trouble bingeing in one sitting. I really loved this hero; he made a decision at 21 while grieving the loss of his mother, and it may not have been the right one. I empathized with Patrick, and I loved what a genuinely good guy he is. His backstory is similar to that of a playboy unwilling to open up his heart to love again... he just went about it differently, lol. Patrick and Sasha make this forbidden romance a chemistry-filled, engrossing read.
The story follows Patrick, a man who made the decision to become a priest while he was young, brokenhearted, and a little vulnerable. While that decision has felt like the right one for the last ten years, the role no long fits as well as it once did. Not only is he disheartened by the church and feeling more isolated than ever, but there's a woman who has been testing his willpower for the last few years. The more Patrick gets to know Sasha, the more difficult it is to stay away. And since he's taken a vow of celibacy, that comes with its own set of complications. As the two try to figure out what to do with their attraction, the lines get blurred.
First and foremost, this won't be for everyone. It both IS and ISN'T respectful to the Catholic faith; there are definitely things about the storyline that will probably bug you if you're religious. But I knew that going in. This is more about the forbidden element, the tension, and the right/wrong of what they're doing. Have no doubt, this is a slow burn, but the sexual tension is there from the start. While I loved Patrick throughout, I wasn't always as sold on Sasha. She's dating another (dud of a) guy for much of the story, and there are a few moments that you might consider cheating. It wasn't enough to detract from my interest in the story, but I also won't say that I loved that element. Overall, this was a fascinating, unique romance, and well worth a read.
And one last thing: I actually kinda love the cover, because it's just the right kind of taboo for this one-of-a-kind love story (she's definitely either the angel or devil on his shoulder), but it also doesn't represent our couple. Patrick's black hair and green eyes are described so many times that they're definitely relevant to the storyline, so... why does this illustration have brown hair and brown eyes? It's a simple fix, and many readers will likely pick up on the discrepancy. This Father What-a-Waste is sexier than that: picture a bad boy with dark hair, a devilish grin, and devastating dimples. I received an early copy and am voluntarily leaving a review of this forbidden romance.
The story follows Patrick, a man who made the decision to become a priest while he was young, brokenhearted, and a little vulnerable. While that decision has felt like the right one for the last ten years, the role no long fits as well as it once did. Not only is he disheartened by the church and feeling more isolated than ever, but there's a woman who has been testing his willpower for the last few years. The more Patrick gets to know Sasha, the more difficult it is to stay away. And since he's taken a vow of celibacy, that comes with its own set of complications. As the two try to figure out what to do with their attraction, the lines get blurred.
First and foremost, this won't be for everyone. It both IS and ISN'T respectful to the Catholic faith; there are definitely things about the storyline that will probably bug you if you're religious. But I knew that going in. This is more about the forbidden element, the tension, and the right/wrong of what they're doing. Have no doubt, this is a slow burn, but the sexual tension is there from the start. While I loved Patrick throughout, I wasn't always as sold on Sasha. She's dating another (dud of a) guy for much of the story, and there are a few moments that you might consider cheating. It wasn't enough to detract from my interest in the story, but I also won't say that I loved that element. Overall, this was a fascinating, unique romance, and well worth a read.
And one last thing: I actually kinda love the cover, because it's just the right kind of taboo for this one-of-a-kind love story (she's definitely either the angel or devil on his shoulder), but it also doesn't represent our couple. Patrick's black hair and green eyes are described so many times that they're definitely relevant to the storyline, so... why does this illustration have brown hair and brown eyes? It's a simple fix, and many readers will likely pick up on the discrepancy. This Father What-a-Waste is sexier than that: picture a bad boy with dark hair, a devilish grin, and devastating dimples. I received an early copy and am voluntarily leaving a review of this forbidden romance.
October 8, 2024
I didn't believe in Purgatory - let alone that I needed to spend time there - until I read this book. But for Pete's sake this was the worst novel I have ever read. I lost brain cells reading this. This is a tawdry melodrama riding on the coattails of the show 'Fleabag.' But whereas the television show has its quirky charms, this novel does not. This novel isn't even Temu 'Fleabag; it's Temu 'Fleabag' remaindered after being on the shelf for a decade. I swear, half the novel consists of the two protagonists just wanting to F each other.
Sasha Finerghty is an event planner who comes from an exceedingly wealthy family. She is the black sheep daughter who hasn't married yet and is over thirty. Her mother is overbearing and controlling and cartoonish. She prefers harlequin novels to the Summa but she is torn between her own lustful fantasies for Patrick and another side of her that insists that she has to let him go because he is a blessing to his parish and a faithful man of the cloth.
Patrick Dooley is a Roman Catholic priest who spends more time griping about the institutional Church that he does doing priestly things like praying and reading the Bible. He felt called to the priesthood as dutiful son fulfilling his mother's dying wish; he also helps out at his old man's bar. He frets that he will never be able to give Sasha the kind of lifestyle he assumes she desires, coming from money.
The plot is a terribly cliched one about forbidden love: an over thirty flirty, dirty event planner and a seemingly faithful but insecure hot priest. And yet Patrick is woefully, woefully unbelievable as a Catholic priest. His highest cause isn't offering Mass (it's not like the Eucharist is "the source and summit of the Christian life" or anything) - it's being involved in the pre-K program for low-income, non-white kids in the parish. Patrick expresses doubts about God but there's no real sense of wrestling with his faith. He doesn't disclose his sins with Sasha to his confessor, he doesn't seek spiritual direction, he doesn't really pray or ask God for guidance; he seems far more obsessed with his loins than his Lord. He is more guided by the ritualism one learns in anthropology class than he is by a crucified Messiah (and this, I think, is a revealing tell on how the author doesn't really understand religion in anything but a functional way; after all, priests and nuns and ordinary lay people have taken up celibacy for centuries in pious obedience but celibacy too is derided). Patrick (along with the other characters in the book) chirp and chide and chastise the Roman Catholic Church for not being inclusive enough, for being patriarchal, for being homophobic. At one point Patrick thinks "the Catholic Church’s official position on LGBTQ+ issues was flat-out silly." Clearly this is a priest well-versed in Catholic moral teaching and the theology of the body; ordination is a long, hard road and readers must suspend their belief if they think Patrick would have actually made it all the way to ordination. The LGBTQ+ content (the pre-K teacher is in a lesbian relationship and the stuffy, stern nun who terrorizes Patrick turns out also to be lesbian) is just one of the socially-liberal crusades its clear Andie J. Christopher felt she had to preach on and it's nauseating (Patrick's best friend's pregnant wife refuses to find out if her baby is a boy or girl because "gender is a construct").
Here's the thing - it's totally fair to critique the Catholic Church (the "last acceptable prejudice" in historian Philip Jenkins' phrase) and I get that I shouldn't expect a harlequin novelist to be very objective but what's really flat-out silly is that Patrick could have left the Catholic priesthood by page five and become an Episcopalian priest - BOOM, conflict solved! Sasha and Patrick could be together, get married, there'd be no angst about leaving the priesthood (for both Sasha and Patrick acknowledge the good work he does) and they could continue to reprimand Roman Catholicism while being inclusive (as long as it dogmatically conforms to the strictures of socially liberal platitudes). Sure, that would have made this a short story but it also would have meant I didn't waste a few hours of my life on this sleazy drivel.
Sasha Finerghty is an event planner who comes from an exceedingly wealthy family. She is the black sheep daughter who hasn't married yet and is over thirty. Her mother is overbearing and controlling and cartoonish. She prefers harlequin novels to the Summa but she is torn between her own lustful fantasies for Patrick and another side of her that insists that she has to let him go because he is a blessing to his parish and a faithful man of the cloth.
Patrick Dooley is a Roman Catholic priest who spends more time griping about the institutional Church that he does doing priestly things like praying and reading the Bible. He felt called to the priesthood as dutiful son fulfilling his mother's dying wish; he also helps out at his old man's bar. He frets that he will never be able to give Sasha the kind of lifestyle he assumes she desires, coming from money.
The plot is a terribly cliched one about forbidden love: an over thirty flirty, dirty event planner and a seemingly faithful but insecure hot priest. And yet Patrick is woefully, woefully unbelievable as a Catholic priest. His highest cause isn't offering Mass (it's not like the Eucharist is "the source and summit of the Christian life" or anything) - it's being involved in the pre-K program for low-income, non-white kids in the parish. Patrick expresses doubts about God but there's no real sense of wrestling with his faith. He doesn't disclose his sins with Sasha to his confessor, he doesn't seek spiritual direction, he doesn't really pray or ask God for guidance; he seems far more obsessed with his loins than his Lord. He is more guided by the ritualism one learns in anthropology class than he is by a crucified Messiah (and this, I think, is a revealing tell on how the author doesn't really understand religion in anything but a functional way; after all, priests and nuns and ordinary lay people have taken up celibacy for centuries in pious obedience but celibacy too is derided). Patrick (along with the other characters in the book) chirp and chide and chastise the Roman Catholic Church for not being inclusive enough, for being patriarchal, for being homophobic. At one point Patrick thinks "the Catholic Church’s official position on LGBTQ+ issues was flat-out silly." Clearly this is a priest well-versed in Catholic moral teaching and the theology of the body; ordination is a long, hard road and readers must suspend their belief if they think Patrick would have actually made it all the way to ordination. The LGBTQ+ content (the pre-K teacher is in a lesbian relationship and the stuffy, stern nun who terrorizes Patrick turns out also to be lesbian) is just one of the socially-liberal crusades its clear Andie J. Christopher felt she had to preach on and it's nauseating (Patrick's best friend's pregnant wife refuses to find out if her baby is a boy or girl because "gender is a construct").
Here's the thing - it's totally fair to critique the Catholic Church (the "last acceptable prejudice" in historian Philip Jenkins' phrase) and I get that I shouldn't expect a harlequin novelist to be very objective but what's really flat-out silly is that Patrick could have left the Catholic priesthood by page five and become an Episcopalian priest - BOOM, conflict solved! Sasha and Patrick could be together, get married, there'd be no angst about leaving the priesthood (for both Sasha and Patrick acknowledge the good work he does) and they could continue to reprimand Roman Catholicism while being inclusive (as long as it dogmatically conforms to the strictures of socially liberal platitudes). Sure, that would have made this a short story but it also would have meant I didn't waste a few hours of my life on this sleazy drivel.
April 29, 2021
Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Full disclosure - I 1000% requested this ARC because it reminded me of the Hot Priest storyline in Fleabag season 2. Unfortunately I was a bit disappointed. To be fair, comparing anything to Phoebe Waller-Bridge's writing is probably a bit unfair, and her chemistry with Andrew Scott is unmatched.
But I digress. This is not a review of Fleabag.
In Hot Under His Collar, we follow the budding sexual tension and romance between Sasha Finerghty (whose last name I can't even pretend to try to pronounce) and Father Patrick Dooley. Father Patrick picked up the collar in order to fulfill his mother's dying wish. No pressure. He also got brutally dumped shortly after losing his mom, so seminary school seemed appealing. You can't suffer heartbreak anymore when you're forced to be celibate, right? ...Right??
Sasha is an event planner, and many of her events happen to be weddings. Which take place at church. Where Father Patrick usually officiates. Sasha is WILDLY attracted to Father Patrick, but she's pretty sure it's only because he's completely off limits. She's the black sheep of her family, but even she has lines she tries not to cross. Things get more complicated when they're forced to spend more time with one another so that she can plan a fundraiser to save the church's Pre-K program.
I liked the forbidden romance between Sasha and Patrick at first. It created a fun tension. But as the story went on, it just felt incredibly repetitive. Sasha wants Patrick but doesn't want to ruin his life and make him leave the priesthood for her. Patrick wants Sasha but doesn't think he has anything to offer her. These concerns just get repeated over and over and over in their respective chapters and they never actually talk about it. They recognize their attraction to one another but can't manage to have an actual adult conversation about what it might mean. It's one of my least favorite romance tropes.
Additionally, I felt rather confused by Patrick's lack of struggle with his emotions and attraction to Sasha. Specifically in his utter lack of religiosity. He likes being a priest in that it allows him to help people and his community, but beyond that...it doesn't seem like he's actually concerned about God much at all? I was definitely expecting him to feel much more tortured about his feelings and the morality of the situation he was in. In fact, Sasha, the one who specifically stated that she didn't believe in God, was the one that was asking all the big questions - "Is this wrong?" "Are we bad people?" "Are we going to hell??"
I appreciated Patrick's perspective on what it meant to be a Catholic priest when the history of the institution is SO messed up, but I didn't get the sense that he was ever very religious. Which is weird in a book about a forbidden romance involving a priest. I wanted a bit more angst, and ultimately the most he had to lose was his job. It didn't really feel like his relationship with God ever changed throughout the course of the story because there really wasn't much of one in the first place.
I was also unaware that this book is one in a series of romance books called The Nolans when I first picked it up. There were definitely a few scenes that assumed familiarity with certain characters who had not been previously mentioned within Hot Under His Collar, and it was pretty confusing at first. You can certainly read it without having read the previous installments, but there will definitely be gaps in your knowledge about Sasha and Patrick's group of friends. I tried not to dock any stars because of this since it was my own fault for reading them out of order.
Overall - this was just okay for me. I liked the premise and I thought it had a strong start, but I stopped caring as much about 75% of the way through.
Side note - what on earth is it with Romance books and the illustrations on the cover not matching the character descriptions?? Father Patrick looks nothing like what he's described as in the book and it drives me NUTS.
Full disclosure - I 1000% requested this ARC because it reminded me of the Hot Priest storyline in Fleabag season 2. Unfortunately I was a bit disappointed. To be fair, comparing anything to Phoebe Waller-Bridge's writing is probably a bit unfair, and her chemistry with Andrew Scott is unmatched.
But I digress. This is not a review of Fleabag.
In Hot Under His Collar, we follow the budding sexual tension and romance between Sasha Finerghty (whose last name I can't even pretend to try to pronounce) and Father Patrick Dooley. Father Patrick picked up the collar in order to fulfill his mother's dying wish. No pressure. He also got brutally dumped shortly after losing his mom, so seminary school seemed appealing. You can't suffer heartbreak anymore when you're forced to be celibate, right? ...Right??
Sasha is an event planner, and many of her events happen to be weddings. Which take place at church. Where Father Patrick usually officiates. Sasha is WILDLY attracted to Father Patrick, but she's pretty sure it's only because he's completely off limits. She's the black sheep of her family, but even she has lines she tries not to cross. Things get more complicated when they're forced to spend more time with one another so that she can plan a fundraiser to save the church's Pre-K program.
I liked the forbidden romance between Sasha and Patrick at first. It created a fun tension. But as the story went on, it just felt incredibly repetitive. Sasha wants Patrick but doesn't want to ruin his life and make him leave the priesthood for her. Patrick wants Sasha but doesn't think he has anything to offer her. These concerns just get repeated over and over and over in their respective chapters and they never actually talk about it. They recognize their attraction to one another but can't manage to have an actual adult conversation about what it might mean. It's one of my least favorite romance tropes.
Additionally, I felt rather confused by Patrick's lack of struggle with his emotions and attraction to Sasha. Specifically in his utter lack of religiosity. He likes being a priest in that it allows him to help people and his community, but beyond that...it doesn't seem like he's actually concerned about God much at all? I was definitely expecting him to feel much more tortured about his feelings and the morality of the situation he was in. In fact, Sasha, the one who specifically stated that she didn't believe in God, was the one that was asking all the big questions - "Is this wrong?" "Are we bad people?" "Are we going to hell??"
I appreciated Patrick's perspective on what it meant to be a Catholic priest when the history of the institution is SO messed up, but I didn't get the sense that he was ever very religious. Which is weird in a book about a forbidden romance involving a priest. I wanted a bit more angst, and ultimately the most he had to lose was his job. It didn't really feel like his relationship with God ever changed throughout the course of the story because there really wasn't much of one in the first place.
I was also unaware that this book is one in a series of romance books called The Nolans when I first picked it up. There were definitely a few scenes that assumed familiarity with certain characters who had not been previously mentioned within Hot Under His Collar, and it was pretty confusing at first. You can certainly read it without having read the previous installments, but there will definitely be gaps in your knowledge about Sasha and Patrick's group of friends. I tried not to dock any stars because of this since it was my own fault for reading them out of order.
Overall - this was just okay for me. I liked the premise and I thought it had a strong start, but I stopped caring as much about 75% of the way through.
Side note - what on earth is it with Romance books and the illustrations on the cover not matching the character descriptions?? Father Patrick looks nothing like what he's described as in the book and it drives me NUTS.
April 11, 2021
So this book exists, and I'm not really sure why it was necessary. The only good thing I found in this was that the author called out some of the failings of the Catholic Church. Father Patrick Dooley is "not like other priests" because he works at a bar and swears and drinks and supports divorce and does all kinds of things priests shouldn't do. As a character, his relationship with religion was the most interesting thing about him. He joined the church because he was heartbroken and it was the dying wish of his devout mother, much to the chagrin of his atheist father who owns a bar. Sasha Finerghty dates everyone she can in order to stop thinking about Father Patrick, but of course, all of her attempts to do so only bring the two closer together because he sees all the dates she goes on - at his father's bar. Sasha, with a self proclaimed kink for authority figures, has her own set of issues with her wild family and is upset with the man she's dating (literally only to avoid her feelings for her priest) tells her he's separated and in the middle of a divorce. The pacing was weird, and I found so many of the lines of dialogue cheesy and so so cringey. Lastly, I am not Catholic and 100% do not understand how the religion and priesthood function, but while discussing this story with a Catholic friend while reading, I'm pretty sure the author got some key elements wrong.
*ARC provided by Netgalley for review*
*ARC provided by Netgalley for review*
October 24, 2021
Mehhhh. That’s about how I felt. For being a shorter book this felt like it took forever. I skimmed through so much of it since I just couldn’t find myself getting invested.
September 16, 2021
3.5 stars
Hot priest alert! 🚨✝️🚨
This is the first of Andie J. Christopher’s books that I’ve read and it’s purely because of the premise!
He realized his mistake when Sasha smiled at him. That wouldn’t help with Project Dick Go Back to Sleep—like, not at all. “They like you.” He cleared his throat of the thing he wanted to say—I want to put a baby in you—and said, “You’re good with kids.”
🥲🥲🥲
Loved the dry humour and great sexual tension. Patrick and Sasha each have a lot of inner turmoil—a bit too much in places, making their dialogue sometimes hard to follow. This is a simmering medium-angst, enjoyable read for me, because I love a relatable hero and heroine; emotionally wounded and tortured AF. A romance about taboo love between two people who feel like they don’t deserve to have what they want in life.
“I think becoming a priest is making a pretty clear statement about how much he values romantic relationships.”
“Come to think of it, becoming a priest is really the ultimate fuckboy move,” Hannah said, sarcasm dripping from her voice. “Really says that he can’t make a commitment.”
Be prepared for a slooooow burn—believable and entirely appropriate given that the hero is a priest and has taken a vow of celibacy—so don’t expect hot and heavy from the get-go like Priest by Sierra Simone.
“It’s some real Derek Craven shit.”
“Who is Derek Craven? Is that one of your ex-boyfriends?”
As a priest, Patrick probably didn’t read very many romance novels. She had so much to teach him. “Derek Craven is not one of my ex-boyfriends, Patrick.” She grabbed him by the upper arms. “I know that you’ve read all the important works by dead white guys, but if you don’t read Dreaming of You immediately, we’re going to have to break up.”
Lastly, any book that makes little references to Kleypas and Derek Craven is going to get automatic bonus points from me! 🤣
Hot priest alert! 🚨✝️🚨
This is the first of Andie J. Christopher’s books that I’ve read and it’s purely because of the premise!
He realized his mistake when Sasha smiled at him. That wouldn’t help with Project Dick Go Back to Sleep—like, not at all. “They like you.” He cleared his throat of the thing he wanted to say—I want to put a baby in you—and said, “You’re good with kids.”
🥲🥲🥲
Loved the dry humour and great sexual tension. Patrick and Sasha each have a lot of inner turmoil—a bit too much in places, making their dialogue sometimes hard to follow. This is a simmering medium-angst, enjoyable read for me, because I love a relatable hero and heroine; emotionally wounded and tortured AF. A romance about taboo love between two people who feel like they don’t deserve to have what they want in life.
“I think becoming a priest is making a pretty clear statement about how much he values romantic relationships.”
“Come to think of it, becoming a priest is really the ultimate fuckboy move,” Hannah said, sarcasm dripping from her voice. “Really says that he can’t make a commitment.”
Be prepared for a slooooow burn—believable and entirely appropriate given that the hero is a priest and has taken a vow of celibacy—so don’t expect hot and heavy from the get-go like Priest by Sierra Simone.
“It’s some real Derek Craven shit.”
“Who is Derek Craven? Is that one of your ex-boyfriends?”
As a priest, Patrick probably didn’t read very many romance novels. She had so much to teach him. “Derek Craven is not one of my ex-boyfriends, Patrick.” She grabbed him by the upper arms. “I know that you’ve read all the important works by dead white guys, but if you don’t read Dreaming of You immediately, we’re going to have to break up.”
Lastly, any book that makes little references to Kleypas and Derek Craven is going to get automatic bonus points from me! 🤣
September 7, 2022
It’s honestly incredible how some people just do not have a way with words
December 12, 2021
Review coming soon!
Loved this one
Loved this one
July 16, 2021
ARC received via Netgalley for an honest review
If you have watched Fleabag, and gotten to that episode, or if you have met Father Bell in Priest by Sierra Simone, you will understand why I requested and advanced copy of this one,
Now, I am an athiest, so the celibacy thing that the Catholic church enforces is archaic and quite cruel - but i digress - but a hot priest, yes please (I mean, have you seen the hot priests calendar they put out hahah
But I am not sure what went wrong for me with this one. I didn't find my self loving Patrack (for God's sake man, you are more than your job), and Sasha went from being a doormat for her parents to living in sin with an ex-priest, and none of it felt organic.
I am sure plenty will adore this book, but it just didn't resonate with me.
a>
If you have watched Fleabag, and gotten to that episode, or if you have met Father Bell in Priest by Sierra Simone, you will understand why I requested and advanced copy of this one,
Now, I am an athiest, so the celibacy thing that the Catholic church enforces is archaic and quite cruel - but i digress - but a hot priest, yes please (I mean, have you seen the hot priests calendar they put out hahah
But I am not sure what went wrong for me with this one. I didn't find my self loving Patrack (for God's sake man, you are more than your job), and Sasha went from being a doormat for her parents to living in sin with an ex-priest, and none of it felt organic.
I am sure plenty will adore this book, but it just didn't resonate with me.
a>
July 21, 2021
This is hard for me to rate. I really had a fun time reading this hot priest book until about 70%. The heroine had a crush on the hot priest and it turned out he had a crush on her. They tried to do what they thought was right until they had to think about what was really right for them. I loved the friendships seen throughout the book. I felt engaged in the story. At 70% they started talking to other people about how they loved the other person. I know they lusted for each other. I didn’t feel like they really had gotten to know each other on a deep level yet. I paused the book and later came back and finished. And it wasn’t bad. I just wished it felt like their connection was a little deeper than surface level. I really do like Andie J Christopher and I plan on reading more from her.
I voluntarily read an early copy.
I voluntarily read an early copy.
July 14, 2021
Super charged with lots of flirty chemistry.
I follow the author on social media and she had said this book is fixing our "brokeness" from that heart break that is Fleabag the show.
I can confirm she gave us two witty individuals, she gives us an ending that we need, crave, and deserve.
You have Patrick that is a priest and Sasha and event coordinator.
We discover they have been secretly attracted to each other from the first moment they met. Due to the obvious circumstance Patrick has made a vow and Sasha most def respects it.
But none of them can damper the sizzling chemistry they have. The intuitive connection they form.
You MUST read for yourself to find out what happens with these two.
I follow the author on social media and she had said this book is fixing our "brokeness" from that heart break that is Fleabag the show.
I can confirm she gave us two witty individuals, she gives us an ending that we need, crave, and deserve.
You have Patrick that is a priest and Sasha and event coordinator.
We discover they have been secretly attracted to each other from the first moment they met. Due to the obvious circumstance Patrick has made a vow and Sasha most def respects it.
But none of them can damper the sizzling chemistry they have. The intuitive connection they form.
You MUST read for yourself to find out what happens with these two.
October 10, 2021
I was super excited for this book. I like the taboo of the Priest romance, and haven't read so many of them yet that they feel overused. But this book just didn't work for me like I wanted it to.
The story is full of current pop culture references and jokes that I can't help but think will get stale real quick. Like an Old Navy July 4th tank top, this book is going to date itself pretty darn quick. But even more niche than current slang, there were a ton of phrases used on the Fated Mates podcast. I felt like anyone who listens to that podcast could have wrote this book.
I hate beyond all things (even a kidnapping in HR) a public declaration. I get so embarrassed for the characters that I want to hide. I shouldn't judge the book based on this because some folks may like that. But here was the tipping point for me: He publicly leaves the church for her at a church hosted fair. Due to the build up in tension, I expected an immediate super hot, explosive bang sesh. Like under the bleachers or in a car or something. Instead, they go sit in traffic in Chicago. Now, I've lived in Chi-town and have first hand experience in that traffic. That scene metaphorically and actually slowed the whole book down. The traffic *literally* killed the momentum for me. Now was the time to get hot and heavy and rip that collar off of him. Here is when the book should really amped up, but instead it was very vanilla.
This book over promises and under delivers with all the sex scenes. It wants to be sexy but doesn't know how. There is a hint at pegging but then never mention again.
Also, can we talk about the total scene stealer from One Good Earl Deserves a Lover? Sarah MacLean has a scene where Cross can't touch Pippa so he has her take care of herself in front of him. This scene definitely happens in Hot Under His Collar between Sasha and Father Dooly. How can SM be ok with that?
The story is full of current pop culture references and jokes that I can't help but think will get stale real quick. Like an Old Navy July 4th tank top, this book is going to date itself pretty darn quick. But even more niche than current slang, there were a ton of phrases used on the Fated Mates podcast. I felt like anyone who listens to that podcast could have wrote this book.
I hate beyond all things (even a kidnapping in HR) a public declaration. I get so embarrassed for the characters that I want to hide. I shouldn't judge the book based on this because some folks may like that. But here was the tipping point for me: He publicly leaves the church for her at a church hosted fair. Due to the build up in tension, I expected an immediate super hot, explosive bang sesh. Like under the bleachers or in a car or something. Instead, they go sit in traffic in Chicago. Now, I've lived in Chi-town and have first hand experience in that traffic. That scene metaphorically and actually slowed the whole book down. The traffic *literally* killed the momentum for me. Now was the time to get hot and heavy and rip that collar off of him. Here is when the book should really amped up, but instead it was very vanilla.
This book over promises and under delivers with all the sex scenes. It wants to be sexy but doesn't know how. There is a hint at pegging but then never mention again.
Also, can we talk about the total scene stealer from One Good Earl Deserves a Lover? Sarah MacLean has a scene where Cross can't touch Pippa so he has her take care of herself in front of him. This scene definitely happens in Hot Under His Collar between Sasha and Father Dooly. How can SM be ok with that?
July 16, 2021
I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley. All opinions are my own. Hot Under His Collar by Andie J. Christopher is the third book in her The Nolans series. I think that you will enjoy this book more if you have read the first two books. Sasha Finerghty has had a crush on Father Patrick Dooley for a while now, and it was a quiet thing, a secret desire that she kept tucked away knowing it could never happen. Only now she’s working with him to raise funds for the preschool program at his church and that crush grows even bigger as she spends more time with him, it becomes all consuming and she’s beginning to think that he likes her back. When Patrick Dooley became a priest ten years ago it felt right and gave him a sense of purpose, but now it’s a struggle it’s moe about paperwork than helping people and he has doubts about the churches strictures on many issues, but he’s not sure who he would be if not a priest and would Sasha even want that man. I loved this story, it has everything I want in a romance novel, steam, angst, strong supporting characters, and a hero and heroine who deserve their hard won HEA. I highly recommend this book, and it’s definitely one of my favourite reads this year. Steam Level: Medium. Publishing Date: July 20, 2021. #HotUnderHisCollar #AndieJChristopher #BerkleyPublishingGroup #ContemporaryRomance #NetGalley #BerkleyRomance #RomanceBooks #TabooRomanceBooks #RomanceReaders #bookstagram #bookstagrammer
July 31, 2021
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing House for providing me this arc via Netgalley!
I have to admit that I went into this book with low expectations and was a bit surprised. I liked the novelty of this (not many priest romances out there) and the mention of LBGBTQ and church.
However, there were more things I did not like:
-it was very obvious from the start that both characters were into each other and it would have been more satisfying if we learned that further into the novel.
- I didn't understand why the priest in the cover has brown eyes, when Dooley's green eyes are so often mentioned.
- The writing was repetitive and the sub plot was really boring and practically non existent.
- The relationship was very sex-driven and felt like it had no solid base and I absolutely HATE public declarations of love.
Overall, thought, it was not a terrible book.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing House for providing me this arc via Netgalley!
I have to admit that I went into this book with low expectations and was a bit surprised. I liked the novelty of this (not many priest romances out there) and the mention of LBGBTQ and church.
However, there were more things I did not like:
-it was very obvious from the start that both characters were into each other and it would have been more satisfying if we learned that further into the novel.
- I didn't understand why the priest in the cover has brown eyes, when Dooley's green eyes are so often mentioned.
- The writing was repetitive and the sub plot was really boring and practically non existent.
- The relationship was very sex-driven and felt like it had no solid base and I absolutely HATE public declarations of love.
Overall, thought, it was not a terrible book.
November 17, 2021
Wow, what a journey we've been on in this Nolans litverse, eh? In my opinion, Hot Under His Collar was the strongest book in the series.
This novel was definitely much more cerebral than the first two and took a little bit of time to get going, but I enjoyed Andie J. Christopher's unpacking of all the Millennial angst around who you are and what you're supposed to be doing — especially if you're a priest.
The one's not as tension-filled and steamy as Fleabag (since I'm seeing lots of comparisons), but it's still a good romance if you want to sit and ponder a few existential things. Who doesn't love their books with a side of existential life crises?
This novel was definitely much more cerebral than the first two and took a little bit of time to get going, but I enjoyed Andie J. Christopher's unpacking of all the Millennial angst around who you are and what you're supposed to be doing — especially if you're a priest.
The one's not as tension-filled and steamy as Fleabag (since I'm seeing lots of comparisons), but it's still a good romance if you want to sit and ponder a few existential things. Who doesn't love their books with a side of existential life crises?
August 4, 2021
So fucking hawt. The shower scene...
Oh my word. Andie is such a gift to the genre. Did you KNOW she coined the term 'stern brunch daddy'???? DID YOU KNOW THAT?!
Oh my word. Andie is such a gift to the genre. Did you KNOW she coined the term 'stern brunch daddy'???? DID YOU KNOW THAT?!
July 8, 2021
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and Andie J Christopher for granting my wish for an ARC of this book, in exchange for a fair review.
I slept on Andie’s first two books for too long, and when I finally read them, became addicted to her writing. Andie has a knack for creating characters that are easy to identify and connect with, while also being able to lose yourself in the story.
Hot Under His Collar features two characters who appeared in her prior novels, Sasha Finerghty and Father Patrick Dooley. Yep, that kind of Father! I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone with strong Roman Catholic views due to the spicy scenes, but the religious discussions that occur and Patrick’s struggle with his own views and potential laicization are thought provoking, and as a former catholic, I identified with his struggles. Sasha struggles with her attraction to Patrick while trying to stay professional as she works with him, and live her life the way she wants to without her overbearing family. Sasha has a lot of undiscovered trauma from her family that she was trying to identify and deal with, and her choice in safe, boring men is definitely affected by her upbringing.
I would recommend this book to basically everyone (in fact, I already have) simply for chapter 16.
If you like forbidden love, this is definitely the book for you. Looking forward to what Andie writes next!
I slept on Andie’s first two books for too long, and when I finally read them, became addicted to her writing. Andie has a knack for creating characters that are easy to identify and connect with, while also being able to lose yourself in the story.
Hot Under His Collar features two characters who appeared in her prior novels, Sasha Finerghty and Father Patrick Dooley. Yep, that kind of Father! I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone with strong Roman Catholic views due to the spicy scenes, but the religious discussions that occur and Patrick’s struggle with his own views and potential laicization are thought provoking, and as a former catholic, I identified with his struggles. Sasha struggles with her attraction to Patrick while trying to stay professional as she works with him, and live her life the way she wants to without her overbearing family. Sasha has a lot of undiscovered trauma from her family that she was trying to identify and deal with, and her choice in safe, boring men is definitely affected by her upbringing.
I would recommend this book to basically everyone (in fact, I already have) simply for chapter 16.
If you like forbidden love, this is definitely the book for you. Looking forward to what Andie writes next!
November 8, 2021
I can’t believe Fleabag and Midnight Mass have got me reading priest romances now. This was okay, the tension was good, but I still felt like it needed more.
November 5, 2021
Was it fun? Yes. Do I have regrets? Mildly, and I will not be looking my grandmothers in the eye for a while after reading this.
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