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On My Knees #1
Worship
An alternative cover edition for ASIN B07ZCXFL7N can be found here.
Book One in an epic, forbidden MM romance duet from USA Today Bestselling Author Ella James, writing MM romance as Ellis James...
You think you know me. That’s the way I want it. Making you feel like we know each other—like we could go grab a beer sometime—is part of my job. Maybe the most vital part. It doesn't hurt that I'm easy on the eyes, single at 35, and born richer than sin. My aesthetic matters much more than it should, but all the better for my worthy cause.
And it's a worthy cause.
I've made an art of making you feel good, and my influence makes you want to be good. Good like me.
You think you know me, but you don't.
Everyone has secrets. Mine could cost me everything. So I'm a fortress. No one's ever even gotten close.
Until tonight.
See that man, the tall guy dripping on the bow of my yacht? The one I just pulled from the ocean?
He's the one who's going to cost me everything.
Book One in an epic, forbidden MM romance duet from USA Today Bestselling Author Ella James, writing MM romance as Ellis James...
You think you know me. That’s the way I want it. Making you feel like we know each other—like we could go grab a beer sometime—is part of my job. Maybe the most vital part. It doesn't hurt that I'm easy on the eyes, single at 35, and born richer than sin. My aesthetic matters much more than it should, but all the better for my worthy cause.
And it's a worthy cause.
I've made an art of making you feel good, and my influence makes you want to be good. Good like me.
You think you know me, but you don't.
Everyone has secrets. Mine could cost me everything. So I'm a fortress. No one's ever even gotten close.
Until tonight.
See that man, the tall guy dripping on the bow of my yacht? The one I just pulled from the ocean?
He's the one who's going to cost me everything.
150 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 21, 2019
2538 people are currently reading
5243 people want to read
About the author
Ella James
75 books5,799 followersElla James is the USA Today + Amazon Top 10 bestselling author of more than twenty books. Ella lives in Colorado with her husband and three kids. When she's not writing, you can find her in the foothills.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 708 reviews
October 26, 2019
3.5
It was ok.
-kind of taboo (for some reason I wasn't shocked?!)
-loved Vance.Didn't care much for Luke but I'm hoping to love him more in the next book.
-way too many sex scenes in the first half (can't believe I'm actually complaining about that).It's a shame because these guys are really hot but you know the saying too much of a good thing...?
-I'm definitely interested enough to read the next one.
Available on KU.
It was ok.
-kind of taboo (for some reason I wasn't shocked?!)
-loved Vance.Didn't care much for Luke but I'm hoping to love him more in the next book.
-way too many sex scenes in the first half (can't believe I'm actually complaining about that).It's a shame because these guys are really hot but you know the saying too much of a good thing...?
-I'm definitely interested enough to read the next one.
Available on KU.
February 9, 2021
Audiobook - 5++++ stars I want to marry Aiden Snow's voice.
Story - 3.25 stars
Well, this was ummm! different, I did not see the twist coming.
Luke and Vance were both interesting and different characters. I ended up liking them. I understood Luke and was frustrated by him at the same time.
This could have been an easy 5 stars unfortunately, the sex scenes were way too many, I can't believe that I am saying this; It got boring. I love me some smexy time, but let it have some build up. Annnnd! how the fuck these two guys become pornstars? Those sex scenes were straight out of a porno scene. I wonder how their dicks survived without falling off.
Overall, it was 60/40. I liked some parts, some not so much. Looking forward to book 2.
Story - 3.25 stars
Well, this was ummm! different, I did not see the twist coming.
Luke and Vance were both interesting and different characters. I ended up liking them. I understood Luke and was frustrated by him at the same time.
This could have been an easy 5 stars unfortunately, the sex scenes were way too many, I can't believe that I am saying this; It got boring. I love me some smexy time, but let it have some build up. Annnnd! how the fuck these two guys become pornstars? Those sex scenes were straight out of a porno scene. I wonder how their dicks survived without falling off.
Overall, it was 60/40. I liked some parts, some not so much. Looking forward to book 2.
October 25, 2019
**** 4.25 Stars ****
OMG!
Is it November yet??????????
Worship starts with a bang, so hot and mysterious.
Then an incredible unexpected twist happens * and no, I am not going tell ya what* 😈 making of this one of the most refreshing plots I read lately.
I am a sucker for a forbidden love story.
Dear Author, hurry up and PLEASE don't let us down!!
OMG!
Is it November yet??????????
Worship starts with a bang, so hot and mysterious.
Then an incredible unexpected twist happens * and no, I am not going tell ya what* 😈 making of this one of the most refreshing plots I read lately.
I am a sucker for a forbidden love story.
Dear Author, hurry up and PLEASE don't let us down!!
October 30, 2019
*** 2.5 stars ***
Eh. Why did I read this? Actually, I know why -- it was because some reviewers were saying it has too much sex. "Too much sex"? What is that? Those words act as a lure rather than a repellent.
The real question isn't why I started reading it, but why I kept on reading it. And it wasn't because of the sex -- which was pretty much all front-loaded, followed by an extended separation in which the MCs didn't cross paths. My interest took a near-death-blow when the surprise reveal was made, and that happened very early on. It's a me thing, but I simply could not bring myself to give one single shit about a character who
Whew, that rant got away from me. Sorry, folks. But I don't care if that character gets an HEA; in fact I'd prefer to see him go to hell . Did I keep reading because I hoped there was a possibility of redemption for him, where he'd see the evil of his ways? I did get invested a bit at about the halfway point, due to the appeal of the other MC, but then the story lost me again, and I coasted on autopilot until the end. Which is, not exactly a cliffhanger, but a break point in the middle of the story, because this is one of those situations where, for whatever deranged reason, the author &/or the publisher decided to publish it in two books when it is in fact only a single story.
At any rate, bitching aside, I did read it to the end, so I'm rounding up instead of down to acknowledge that it had some level of quality sufficient to keep me from DNFing and flinging my Kindle across the room.
Eh. Why did I read this? Actually, I know why -- it was because some reviewers were saying it has too much sex. "Too much sex"? What is that? Those words act as a lure rather than a repellent.
The real question isn't why I started reading it, but why I kept on reading it. And it wasn't because of the sex -- which was pretty much all front-loaded, followed by an extended separation in which the MCs didn't cross paths. My interest took a near-death-blow when the surprise reveal was made, and that happened very early on. It's a me thing, but I simply could not bring myself to give one single shit about a character who
Whew, that rant got away from me. Sorry, folks. But I don't care if that character gets an HEA; in fact I'd prefer to see him go to hell . Did I keep reading because I hoped there was a possibility of redemption for him, where he'd see the evil of his ways? I did get invested a bit at about the halfway point, due to the appeal of the other MC, but then the story lost me again, and I coasted on autopilot until the end. Which is, not exactly a cliffhanger, but a break point in the middle of the story, because this is one of those situations where, for whatever deranged reason, the author &/or the publisher decided to publish it in two books when it is in fact only a single story.
At any rate, bitching aside, I did read it to the end, so I'm rounding up instead of down to acknowledge that it had some level of quality sufficient to keep me from DNFing and flinging my Kindle across the room.
January 1, 2020
First of all… is it November 11 yet?? It’s rare for me to feel like I have to read something the very day it’s released, but I will this time. This one has me ON THE HOOK.
I love the story arc here. It might seem somewhat familiar —— but it has a bit of a different take. The character’s struggle isn’t what it might seem at first blush.
Both Luke and Vance endeared themselves to me. It didn’t happen right away, but before I finished this novella, each POV had made my eyes sting a little bit. They have distinct voices, strengths, and flaws...
And together, they have incendiary chemistry.
I can point vividly to what kept this one from greatness for me, and what frustrates me the most is that I think it would have been SO easy to fix. Two things:
Part I (the first 29%) is sex heavy. Let me explain. I have no issue with copious sex, but the point when it becomes too much is when it affects the tension. When you are no longer leaning toward your kindle wanting them to touch each other. This makes me want to shake an author — you’re ruining all your hard work! Tension contributes something irreplaceable in the reading experience, and usually when you’ve lost it, it’s gone.
Miraculously, I did feel that it came back this time, but not all readers will come back with it. So when you see reviews inevitably talking about too much sex, it's my opinion that this is what went down.
The other strike this one has is that, from a sexual perspective, it requires a huge suspension of disbelief. We’re talking unlimited stamina and nonexistent refractory periods, and the worst part for me was when it was revealed that . I pushed on, and I got back into the story. But I would have given good money for this element to have been handled differently.
So whatever, these are my complaints, but like I mentioned, is it November 11 yet?? Because I need the rest. Nowwwww.
I love the story arc here. It might seem somewhat familiar —— but it has a bit of a different take. The character’s struggle isn’t what it might seem at first blush.
Both Luke and Vance endeared themselves to me. It didn’t happen right away, but before I finished this novella, each POV had made my eyes sting a little bit. They have distinct voices, strengths, and flaws...
And together, they have incendiary chemistry.
I can point vividly to what kept this one from greatness for me, and what frustrates me the most is that I think it would have been SO easy to fix. Two things:
Part I (the first 29%) is sex heavy. Let me explain. I have no issue with copious sex, but the point when it becomes too much is when it affects the tension. When you are no longer leaning toward your kindle wanting them to touch each other. This makes me want to shake an author — you’re ruining all your hard work! Tension contributes something irreplaceable in the reading experience, and usually when you’ve lost it, it’s gone.
Miraculously, I did feel that it came back this time, but not all readers will come back with it. So when you see reviews inevitably talking about too much sex, it's my opinion that this is what went down.
The other strike this one has is that, from a sexual perspective, it requires a huge suspension of disbelief. We’re talking unlimited stamina and nonexistent refractory periods, and the worst part for me was when it was revealed that . I pushed on, and I got back into the story. But I would have given good money for this element to have been handled differently.
So whatever, these are my complaints, but like I mentioned, is it November 11 yet?? Because I need the rest. Nowwwww.
February 15, 2022
Audio - 5 ++++ Stars
I wasn't even going to give this a chance, but I just couldn't resist an Aiden Snow and Iggy Toma dual narration.
Story - 3 Stars
No one is more shocked than me that not only didn't I hate this, but I actually liked it.
That said, I wasn't the least bit crazy about the serious lack of build up to the sexcapade that happened between the MCs right away (hence the -2 stars). But once they were separated, more insight was given about each of the MCs, and I was intrigued. I liked the angst and the forbidden relationship.... A LOT!
I wasn't even going to give this a chance, but I just couldn't resist an Aiden Snow and Iggy Toma dual narration.
Story - 3 Stars
No one is more shocked than me that not only didn't I hate this, but I actually liked it.
That said, I wasn't the least bit crazy about the serious lack of build up to the sexcapade that happened between the MCs right away (hence the -2 stars). But once they were separated, more insight was given about each of the MCs, and I was intrigued. I liked the angst and the forbidden relationship.... A LOT!
January 17, 2020
I couldn't put it down! Forbidden romance at its best.
July 2, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Holy hell! Luke is very bad preacher!
Vance ends up stranded when he fails to return to his cruise ship on time. Luke being a Good Samaritan takes him to the next port on his yacht.
Then they end up getting down and dirty but Vance quickly realizes it’s a one night affair so he carries on until he overhears someone listening to a church sermon, led by none other than the man who rocked his world.
He still tries to move on but then he realizes that Luke is following his Instagram stories. So, he decides to send him some very naughty private stories. Luke just can’t help himself and goes to Vance’s home. This night far surpasses the first but Luke is adamant that it’s one night only.
Years pass, Vance’s career as a painter takes off. There’s hiccups along the way through communication between the two but they never follow through.
More time, this time in silence. Luke really does try to move on by dating a woman. But then Vance is hired to paint a mural in his church and he’s forced to come face to face with the man he wants but can’t have.
It was a quickie, but the writer shoved a lot of story into it. I was riveted from the first page and it never released it’s grasp. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
Holy hell! Luke is very bad preacher!
Vance ends up stranded when he fails to return to his cruise ship on time. Luke being a Good Samaritan takes him to the next port on his yacht.
Then they end up getting down and dirty but Vance quickly realizes it’s a one night affair so he carries on until he overhears someone listening to a church sermon, led by none other than the man who rocked his world.
He still tries to move on but then he realizes that Luke is following his Instagram stories. So, he decides to send him some very naughty private stories. Luke just can’t help himself and goes to Vance’s home. This night far surpasses the first but Luke is adamant that it’s one night only.
Years pass, Vance’s career as a painter takes off. There’s hiccups along the way through communication between the two but they never follow through.
More time, this time in silence. Luke really does try to move on by dating a woman. But then Vance is hired to paint a mural in his church and he’s forced to come face to face with the man he wants but can’t have.
It was a quickie, but the writer shoved a lot of story into it. I was riveted from the first page and it never released it’s grasp. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
November 10, 2019
Maybe my expectations were too high?
I expected to be blown away.
I expected to be faschizzed the flock out.
SPOILER ALERT!
I wasn't. Unfortunately.
I liked it but love was not in the cards for me and this bookie.
What I liked:
⫸ There is a certain appeal with the whole forbidden trope and that part was done well and held my interest.
⫸ The sex is kind of tongue slap your brains out hot.
⫸ James does a good job of giving both of these men distinct voices.
⫸ The way they meet is unusual and kind of humorous or it was to me at least.
What I didn't like:
⫸ They have chemistry and heat but...
These two dudes boom boom and cuddle a few times and I'm supposed to believe that years pass and the flame still burns so bright it would singe a retina??
⫸ Also not crazy about the blatant unsafe sex. Vance's blasé attitude turned me into Judgy McJudgerton, a persona I'm usually leaps and bounds away from, but you tell me you're clean because you got tested "recently" but (a) you've boom boomed who knows how many people since that test and (b) WHY THE FRENCH TOAST AM I GOING TO BELIEVE A RANDOM WHEN THEY ARE CLEARLY DESPERATE TO GET THEIR BOOM BOOM ON????
Pick a response from the poo poo platter of gifs I've assembled.
Three guesses where I end up on this scale. The first two don't count.
⫸ Which brings me back to the boom booming which is, again my opinion, a bit gratuitous and makes it seem as though that's their real connection rather than them being soulmates. Which gave my inner squishy marshmallow the sadz.
⫸ Way, waaaaaaayyyyyyyy too much interior decorating.
I'm interested enough to read the next one. I'm just hoping both Vance and Luke are better developed which hopefully will translate into my investing more in their journey.
We shall see.
As always my opinions are my own and YMMV.
I expected to be blown away.
I expected to be faschizzed the flock out.
SPOILER ALERT!
I wasn't. Unfortunately.
I liked it but love was not in the cards for me and this bookie.
What I liked:
⫸ There is a certain appeal with the whole forbidden trope and that part was done well and held my interest.
⫸ The sex is kind of tongue slap your brains out hot.
⫸ James does a good job of giving both of these men distinct voices.
⫸ The way they meet is unusual and kind of humorous or it was to me at least.
What I didn't like:
⫸ They have chemistry and heat but...
These two dudes boom boom and cuddle a few times and I'm supposed to believe that years pass and the flame still burns so bright it would singe a retina??
⫸ Also not crazy about the blatant unsafe sex. Vance's blasé attitude turned me into Judgy McJudgerton, a persona I'm usually leaps and bounds away from, but you tell me you're clean because you got tested "recently" but (a) you've boom boomed who knows how many people since that test and (b) WHY THE FRENCH TOAST AM I GOING TO BELIEVE A RANDOM WHEN THEY ARE CLEARLY DESPERATE TO GET THEIR BOOM BOOM ON????
Pick a response from the poo poo platter of gifs I've assembled.
Three guesses where I end up on this scale. The first two don't count.
⫸ Which brings me back to the boom booming which is, again my opinion, a bit gratuitous and makes it seem as though that's their real connection rather than them being soulmates. Which gave my inner squishy marshmallow the sadz.
⫸ Way, waaaaaaayyyyyyyy too much interior decorating.
I'm interested enough to read the next one. I'm just hoping both Vance and Luke are better developed which hopefully will translate into my investing more in their journey.
We shall see.
As always my opinions are my own and YMMV.
February 15, 2020
So first when I saw it said “forbidden” my pervy ass that needs to blessed by Jesus and bathe in holy water assumed some long lost brothers shit 😬
I was not expecting what I got so it really lost some of the sauce it started with. Don’t get me wrong it still got the juice but as someone who grew up in the church I was not surprised that those who lead and preach that of following the lord are often the ones who have sins on top of sins.
Vance and Paul are amazing together and I loved the little game of cat and mouse they play and how they are almost obsessed with each other. Apart from that not much happens 🤷🏽♀️. Lots of man pain and lusting for what already seems like a doomed relationship; but man it hurts so good.
Overall, a really fun story and I was left excited to see how they can build a romantic relationship.
lost-interested
February 6, 2020DNF @ 20%
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August 11, 2023
MM Smutfest
Age Gap/Pastor/Closeted
3 Stars ⭐️
This is so tricky to rate and review because I like this couple because of Wrath and after getting this book free ages ago and recently rereading Wrath via audiobook, I wanted to know their backstory but fuck is it porny. And I get it to some degree because they can only exist in stolen moments and sometimes it’s years before they see each other again but I wish this had a better storyline. All I really know about them from this book is Luke is a pastor who is closeted, late 30’s and inherited the church from his family. He’s pretending in his daily life and his random encounter with Vance gives him the opportunity to succumb to his wants and desires. Then there’s Vance who is an artist, mid 20’s and totally smitten by Luke despite knowing it can never work out. It should have been angsty and it was kind of? But not enough to really sell me on them and if I hadn’t read Wrath and felt the connection to them, I dont know that I’d actually care or want to read more. But because I’m a masochist, I already started Adore and it’s a total smutfest already but it’s fuck hot and just what I need when reading Hazard&Somers because those are low to no steam and I miss my smut but I love H&S so much that I just deal with it.
So, I liked this because I already liked these characters and the sex is fuck hot but I wish this had some more depth.
Age Gap/Pastor/Closeted
3 Stars ⭐️
This is so tricky to rate and review because I like this couple because of Wrath and after getting this book free ages ago and recently rereading Wrath via audiobook, I wanted to know their backstory but fuck is it porny. And I get it to some degree because they can only exist in stolen moments and sometimes it’s years before they see each other again but I wish this had a better storyline. All I really know about them from this book is Luke is a pastor who is closeted, late 30’s and inherited the church from his family. He’s pretending in his daily life and his random encounter with Vance gives him the opportunity to succumb to his wants and desires. Then there’s Vance who is an artist, mid 20’s and totally smitten by Luke despite knowing it can never work out. It should have been angsty and it was kind of? But not enough to really sell me on them and if I hadn’t read Wrath and felt the connection to them, I dont know that I’d actually care or want to read more. But because I’m a masochist, I already started Adore and it’s a total smutfest already but it’s fuck hot and just what I need when reading Hazard&Somers because those are low to no steam and I miss my smut but I love H&S so much that I just deal with it.
So, I liked this because I already liked these characters and the sex is fuck hot but I wish this had some more depth.
April 16, 2021
I’m officially joining the “Is it November 11 yet?” club.
Apparently, teasing Moony is bad for karma, but if this is the result, I’m not planning to stop anytime soon.
For me, the key to enjoying this book has been going into it with mixed expectations.
I knew there had to be something good (because Jan and Moony loved it), but I also knew there were things to not take too seriously. I wasn’t disappointed, on both counts.
There’s a lot of sex here and the was ridiculous as much as it wasn’t necessary. It didn’t add anything, on the contrary it pulled me out of the story a little. They could’ve still had amazing sex and chemistry with any of two alternative scenarios,
That was my biggest problem. That and the fact that these two seemed like the Duracell Bunny on Viagra when they got going. I get sex marathons, but there’s a thing called biology and, as my friend Moony pointed out, the refractory period exists. Or it should exist, it’s clear that it does not in this book’s world. I’m pretty sure not even two 16-year-olds could have achieved what Vance and Luke did here.
That aside, pretty much everything else worked for me and I’m a little surprised because this book has things I don’t usually like. )
I loved how different Vance and Luke were, they don't seem to have much in common, but they complement each other so well and I adored their dynamic. One of my favorite things was without a doubt
I’m a bit afraid of what’s coming next and I hope there won’t be any drama with , but I can’t wait to find out what’s in store for the conclusion of this story.
Let the wait begin.
Apparently, teasing Moony is bad for karma, but if this is the result, I’m not planning to stop anytime soon.
For me, the key to enjoying this book has been going into it with mixed expectations.
I knew there had to be something good (because Jan and Moony loved it), but I also knew there were things to not take too seriously. I wasn’t disappointed, on both counts.
There’s a lot of sex here and the was ridiculous as much as it wasn’t necessary. It didn’t add anything, on the contrary it pulled me out of the story a little. They could’ve still had amazing sex and chemistry with any of two alternative scenarios,
That was my biggest problem. That and the fact that these two seemed like the Duracell Bunny on Viagra when they got going. I get sex marathons, but there’s a thing called biology and, as my friend Moony pointed out, the refractory period exists. Or it should exist, it’s clear that it does not in this book’s world. I’m pretty sure not even two 16-year-olds could have achieved what Vance and Luke did here.
That aside, pretty much everything else worked for me and I’m a little surprised because this book has things I don’t usually like. )
I loved how different Vance and Luke were, they don't seem to have much in common, but they complement each other so well and I adored their dynamic. One of my favorite things was without a doubt
I’m a bit afraid of what’s coming next and I hope there won’t be any drama with , but I can’t wait to find out what’s in store for the conclusion of this story.
Let the wait begin.
April 8, 2023
2.5⭐️
This book was just underwhelming porn. 🤷♂️
This book was just underwhelming porn. 🤷♂️
October 24, 2019
Wow...5 stars for me. A few errors that I easily overlooked as I devoured this book. I expected a smutfest and I was okay with that. 😁. Yes, this book was off the charts hot but then around the halfway mark the feels started, the sex stopped, and the entire tone of the book changed for me...and it became a 5-star read. The last half of the book sees little to no interaction between Vance and Luke and yet I was still completely invested. I loved how the author was able to make me feel the anticipation, the "waiting for the phone to ring" kind. I became a fan of Vance. He is a "get what you see" kind of guy but his emotions run deep. He is kind and he is struggling with feelings that seem larger than he has experienced before. Then there is Luke. A man of strong faith who is unable to be who he really is. Both of them are lonely. Both of them are longing for something they can't have. I got to about 80% and realized I didn't want the book to end, so I started over from the beginning and read it straight through to the end. I cannot wait to see what the author has in store for book 2, and thankfully I won't have to wait long to find out! Awesome that this was on KU as well. Just read it!!
November 10, 2019
5+++ Vance and Luke
Oh, my freaking goodness! That was freaking awesome !! Great to get surprised by an author! I didn’t expect this, not in a thousand years.
Oh boy, one fine intriguing story. I was thrilled by its content! Hot hot af!
So determined, so focused, so passionate. I found it quite sensational!
“Holy shit. I’ve been annihilated”
On one side it was kind of gritty on the other it was so bright, almost blinding bright.
Forbidden and so wanted, it was everything!
It was so sooo intense what they did with each other. So insanely hot to watch them.
They meet in an unexpected way. Drawn to each other. They have the most intense sexual encounter. My knees couldn’t hold me up by its intensity.
They can’t be together, even if they wanted to, they can’t. The position they are in will never allow it.
I can’t and won’t get into the content because I don’t want to spoil. But believe me, it is stunning and I was completely floored!!
I was extremely excited about the content. I’m soooo happy tomorrow part two will be out.
I can’t wait!!
I can’t praise it enough! Highly recommended
Oh, my freaking goodness! That was freaking awesome !! Great to get surprised by an author! I didn’t expect this, not in a thousand years.
Oh boy, one fine intriguing story. I was thrilled by its content! Hot hot af!
So determined, so focused, so passionate. I found it quite sensational!
“Holy shit. I’ve been annihilated”
On one side it was kind of gritty on the other it was so bright, almost blinding bright.
Forbidden and so wanted, it was everything!
It was so sooo intense what they did with each other. So insanely hot to watch them.
They meet in an unexpected way. Drawn to each other. They have the most intense sexual encounter. My knees couldn’t hold me up by its intensity.
They can’t be together, even if they wanted to, they can’t. The position they are in will never allow it.
I can’t and won’t get into the content because I don’t want to spoil. But believe me, it is stunning and I was completely floored!!
I was extremely excited about the content. I’m soooo happy tomorrow part two will be out.
I can’t wait!!
I can’t praise it enough! Highly recommended
Read
November 29, 2021DNF @ 44%, I really tried to enjoy it but I couldn’t. I had no connection with the MCs. It was a bland read for me , the sex scenes almost kept me interested but I’m afraid I’m not that easily swayed 🙃. The pastor didn’t sound like a pastor (yes I just judged him 😂) I can’t even remember their names that’s how bland it was.
December 1, 2024
I don't read much erotica - and wasn't expecting it here - so I almost quit because of the non-stop sex in the first part of the story. Through the course of the book these guys are together for a couple of days and it's non-stop BJs. I mean I'm not even sure if it's humanly possible for them to get it up continuously, but if you like erotica it will probably be a super hot start. There's also a couple of quick instances of pussy (author's word not mine) grabbing in case you're sensitive to that in your bi/pan romance.
Anyway, the guys spend most of the time separated after two hookups over the course of years and a big bomb is dropped about who one of the MCs really is. Lots of pining, texting and social media stalking ensues, but then this part of the story ends with an enticing setup. I do like Vance but at this point, Luke is a big old jerk but with potential for redemption.
Aside from the sex, which I quickly started skimming, I am intrigued about what will happen and how and since it's on KU I'll pick up the next book. I'm just hoping it's more plot than porn.
Anyway, the guys spend most of the time separated after two hookups over the course of years and a big bomb is dropped about who one of the MCs really is. Lots of pining, texting and social media stalking ensues, but then this part of the story ends with an enticing setup. I do like Vance but at this point, Luke is a big old jerk but with potential for redemption.
Aside from the sex, which I quickly started skimming, I am intrigued about what will happen and how and since it's on KU I'll pick up the next book. I'm just hoping it's more plot than porn.
May 3, 2024
Holy crap that was.... unexpected.
When I started out reading it felt like a porno joke "a guy walks onto a boat...and.." and the next few chapters felt the same. A bit too gratuitous sex and not enough plot but then... holy crap. That was some angsty sad heartbreaking shit right there. I did not know what I was in for.
Here are some things I appreciated about the book. First, the author writes in a very clean, crisp way. She doesn't wax on and on being annoyingly verbose. She writes succinctly. Scenes are not over done. She reminds me of Pacat in that way. Every word seems carefully chosen. Which in turn means the books aren't super long. Thank god. I hate when authors think so highly of themselves they run into the 100s and it's rarely if ever needed. So much could be edited out. This book was perfection in its length and pacing....if not heartbreaking.
I am surprised at how real these characters felt. I felt bad for both of them. Shitty situations all around. :(
When I started out reading it felt like a porno joke "a guy walks onto a boat...and.." and the next few chapters felt the same. A bit too gratuitous sex and not enough plot but then... holy crap. That was some angsty sad heartbreaking shit right there. I did not know what I was in for.
Here are some things I appreciated about the book. First, the author writes in a very clean, crisp way. She doesn't wax on and on being annoyingly verbose. She writes succinctly. Scenes are not over done. She reminds me of Pacat in that way. Every word seems carefully chosen. Which in turn means the books aren't super long. Thank god. I hate when authors think so highly of themselves they run into the 100s and it's rarely if ever needed. So much could be edited out. This book was perfection in its length and pacing....if not heartbreaking.
I am surprised at how real these characters felt. I felt bad for both of them. Shitty situations all around. :(
Read
October 29, 2019DNF at 51 %
I read the reviews before starting it. They were awesome, and I was ready for an incredible heart-breaking story. Hmmm. What I got was a lot of sex between two men or them flying solo with a handful of pages of miscellaneous. Where is the story? I was thinking about stopping at 29%, but when the main caveat of the story was revealed I got curious. But the overabundance of steam and thinking about intimacy was just too much. Don't get me wrong, it was well written, and I enjoyed reading first couple of chapters, but then it just went on repeat. I know more about their physical attributes - shape, size and color than what kind of men they are. I think I should know more about the men themselves at this point in the book. This is labeled as romance but reads as erotica to me, and I was not in the mood for that. I am bored, and I have been skipping last 10% while hoping that there is more. Alas, nope. I throw in the towel. Sorry for bad review, this book is not for me.
I read the reviews before starting it. They were awesome, and I was ready for an incredible heart-breaking story. Hmmm. What I got was a lot of sex between two men or them flying solo with a handful of pages of miscellaneous. Where is the story? I was thinking about stopping at 29%, but when the main caveat of the story was revealed I got curious. But the overabundance of steam and thinking about intimacy was just too much. Don't get me wrong, it was well written, and I enjoyed reading first couple of chapters, but then it just went on repeat. I know more about their physical attributes - shape, size and color than what kind of men they are. I think I should know more about the men themselves at this point in the book. This is labeled as romance but reads as erotica to me, and I was not in the mood for that. I am bored, and I have been skipping last 10% while hoping that there is more. Alas, nope. I throw in the towel. Sorry for bad review, this book is not for me.
May 4, 2021
On My Knees Series
Worship ➟ 3.5 stars
Adore ➟ to be read
Communion ➟ to be read
Book: Worship
Rating: 3.5 stars
This was a steamy short novel about a pastor and and artist. This is an M/M romance and it's a bit forbidden because Luke is a famous pastor, and he does not know if he wants to ever come out. In all honesty, he is prepared to take this secret to the grave, but there is something different about Vance. He can't have more than one night but Luke starts wishing he does. Not too much happened in this book, plot wise it was mostly sex. I still enjoyed it anyways and I love the angst going on between Vance and Luke. I am really excited to read the next book!
Worship ➟ 3.5 stars
Adore ➟ to be read
Communion ➟ to be read
Book: Worship
Rating: 3.5 stars
I suck him a few times then work him with my hand. “I’m the first one, aren’t I?”
I suck one of balls into my mouth, and he grunts.
“Doesn’t matter,” I whisper from base to tip.
“You want one night, I can give you a night. Just don’t say it’s a fucking mistake.”
This was a steamy short novel about a pastor and and artist. This is an M/M romance and it's a bit forbidden because Luke is a famous pastor, and he does not know if he wants to ever come out. In all honesty, he is prepared to take this secret to the grave, but there is something different about Vance. He can't have more than one night but Luke starts wishing he does. Not too much happened in this book, plot wise it was mostly sex. I still enjoyed it anyways and I love the angst going on between Vance and Luke. I am really excited to read the next book!
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December 23, 2019Sigh.... it;s one of those lackluster days...
September 5, 2021
For the last year or more I have seen this book everywhere. I wanted to read it, but as it goes other books pop up and things get pushed to the back of the proverbial bookshelf for a while. Yesterday I was looking for a short audiobook to get me through my workday and this gem popped up. It was far more than I could have expected it to be. Worship was so much more than a story about a forbidden relationship. It was about having to keep the biggest part of yourself hidden out of obligation, fear and faith.
Vance didn't mean to come across Luke but when you are left alone on an island with nowhere to go but to the lone yacht drifting by that is what you do. He never meant to come across the sexy man with secrets who wanted to worship. Life sometimes has other plans that you don't always see coming.
In Luke's profession being discreet is his only choice. It isn't so much as being discreet as hiding away that one part of yourself that makes you who you are. When Vance comes aboard his yacht his first thought was to get rid of the random guy but quickly those plans changed. He will allow himself this one night, this one night to do all the things he has never been able to do but one night never is enough is it?
Sometimes you meet someone that you have a gravitational pull to and that was Vance & Luke. Both men needed something from the other but while Vance just wanted to help Luke even if it was just as a friend Luke pushed him away. Time and time again Luke pushed Vance away and there is so only so much you can be pushed until you break. Vance finally broke, and now the consequences for that could be far worse than Luke ever anticipated.
Iggy Toma & Aiden Snow did a wonderful job on narration. Their voices were so different but meshed beautifully together. Aiden Snow's deep tambour was perfection for Luke because it really gave him that hint of power that his character seemed to exude.
With that ending I am dying to get into book two Adore as soon as I can because if Worship was anything to go by we haven’t seen anything yet now that Luke & Vance are in the same city.
Vance didn't mean to come across Luke but when you are left alone on an island with nowhere to go but to the lone yacht drifting by that is what you do. He never meant to come across the sexy man with secrets who wanted to worship. Life sometimes has other plans that you don't always see coming.
In Luke's profession being discreet is his only choice. It isn't so much as being discreet as hiding away that one part of yourself that makes you who you are. When Vance comes aboard his yacht his first thought was to get rid of the random guy but quickly those plans changed. He will allow himself this one night, this one night to do all the things he has never been able to do but one night never is enough is it?
Sometimes you meet someone that you have a gravitational pull to and that was Vance & Luke. Both men needed something from the other but while Vance just wanted to help Luke even if it was just as a friend Luke pushed him away. Time and time again Luke pushed Vance away and there is so only so much you can be pushed until you break. Vance finally broke, and now the consequences for that could be far worse than Luke ever anticipated.
Iggy Toma & Aiden Snow did a wonderful job on narration. Their voices were so different but meshed beautifully together. Aiden Snow's deep tambour was perfection for Luke because it really gave him that hint of power that his character seemed to exude.
With that ending I am dying to get into book two Adore as soon as I can because if Worship was anything to go by we haven’t seen anything yet now that Luke & Vance are in the same city.
November 23, 2019
Somehow I didn't feel the guy's emotions. It's hard to explain.
We can start with Vance, long brown hair, blue gray eyes, an artist, who has been left behind by the snorkel crew from his cruise ship.
That is how he finds a blonde, green eyed rich man, Luke, on a big yacht, where their sexy games begin. Neither can get the other off their minds. To Vance, Luke is a mystery, a tortured soul, and he finds out later, a closeted preacher, but the pull is still there. Vance seems like the more honest of the two.
As time passes, Luke's preacher role gets larger, and Vance's art is moving upward.
We see their agony from being apart, each moving on, but still left needy and wanting. It's hinted that they still have sex with others while apart, and that Vance has a drug problem, but there are no details, none. Small snippets of their pasts.
The separate times are sad and maddening. With no sign of Luke ever coming out, I do not understand their strong feelings, because they just fall into bed, but then go their separate ways. Finally, Vance is offered the job of painting the mural for the new church complex. They meet again, and Luke is still a tortured man, while Vance is a true wild spirit. Luke goes to his knees for Vance... the end. ...cliffhanger.... !
On to book #2, Adore, and more of this forbidden M/M "romance." I'm hoping for more loose ends to be tied and a better bond, and I'm starting "Adore" right away. I hope my mixed feelings about these two is wrong and that the author will win me over. I have loved other books from this author.
=======
We can start with Vance, long brown hair, blue gray eyes, an artist, who has been left behind by the snorkel crew from his cruise ship.
That is how he finds a blonde, green eyed rich man, Luke, on a big yacht, where their sexy games begin. Neither can get the other off their minds. To Vance, Luke is a mystery, a tortured soul, and he finds out later, a closeted preacher, but the pull is still there. Vance seems like the more honest of the two.
As time passes, Luke's preacher role gets larger, and Vance's art is moving upward.
We see their agony from being apart, each moving on, but still left needy and wanting. It's hinted that they still have sex with others while apart, and that Vance has a drug problem, but there are no details, none. Small snippets of their pasts.
The separate times are sad and maddening. With no sign of Luke ever coming out, I do not understand their strong feelings, because they just fall into bed, but then go their separate ways. Finally, Vance is offered the job of painting the mural for the new church complex. They meet again, and Luke is still a tortured man, while Vance is a true wild spirit. Luke goes to his knees for Vance... the end. ...cliffhanger.... !
On to book #2, Adore, and more of this forbidden M/M "romance." I'm hoping for more loose ends to be tied and a better bond, and I'm starting "Adore" right away. I hope my mixed feelings about these two is wrong and that the author will win me over. I have loved other books from this author.
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January 27, 2021
UPDATE - Audible reviewed on 01-15-21
Narrated by: Iggy Toma, Aiden Snow
Overall : 4 stars.
Performance : 5 stars.
Story : 4 stars.
Sexually Explicit. OTT. Intense.
This is one naughty , raunchy , and utterly delicious MM romance story . If you're looking for a sexually explicit , melodramatic , angsty, against all odd plot , light on character development and world-building ; yet, great as a mental escape, Worship is the book for you.
Iggy Toma and Aiden Snow performance fit perfectly with the story. They were over the top , intense and dramatic. They sounded like they were having fun.
Worship is book 1 of a duet and ends in a BIG cliffhanger . I suggest , having an audio credit at hand.
Original - Ebook reviewed on Oct- 31- 2019
Peter 4:8 "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.
HFS this book is freaking AMAZING ! And , I. Loved. Everything. About. It.
The scorching, sizzling, hot-dirty descriptive sexy times, the perfect -imperfect , gorgeous ,likeable heroes and their feelings of wanting, longing, craving , and denying. How conflicting and difficult is their relationship yet when they're together it's utterly magical , all consuming and so right.
Worship ~On My Knees Duet Book 1 ) gave me all the feels and left me panting. I can hardly wait till Book 2 , comes out.
I received a copy of Worship through LesCourt and am leaving my unbiased feedback
Narrated by: Iggy Toma, Aiden Snow
Overall : 4 stars.
Performance : 5 stars.
Story : 4 stars.
Sexually Explicit. OTT. Intense.
This is one naughty , raunchy , and utterly delicious MM romance story . If you're looking for a sexually explicit , melodramatic , angsty, against all odd plot , light on character development and world-building ; yet, great as a mental escape, Worship is the book for you.
Iggy Toma and Aiden Snow performance fit perfectly with the story. They were over the top , intense and dramatic. They sounded like they were having fun.
Worship is book 1 of a duet and ends in a BIG cliffhanger . I suggest , having an audio credit at hand.
Original - Ebook reviewed on Oct- 31- 2019
Peter 4:8 "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.
HFS this book is freaking AMAZING ! And , I. Loved. Everything. About. It.
The scorching, sizzling, hot-dirty descriptive sexy times, the perfect -imperfect , gorgeous ,likeable heroes and their feelings of wanting, longing, craving , and denying. How conflicting and difficult is their relationship yet when they're together it's utterly magical , all consuming and so right.
Worship ~On My Knees Duet Book 1 ) gave me all the feels and left me panting. I can hardly wait till Book 2 , comes out.
I received a copy of Worship through LesCourt and am leaving my unbiased feedback
September 5, 2021
Full review under book 2, Adore. Too much sex scenes and missed the mark when it came to the plot and storyline
dnf
May 7, 2023DNF @ 21%
After 34 pages and like 6 sex scenes later, this is absolutely ridiculous.
After 34 pages and like 6 sex scenes later, this is absolutely ridiculous.
July 25, 2025
4.25 stars
Reread 2025
YUP! PAINFUL THEN, PAINFUL NOW :D
-------------------
1st read 2022
No. Absolutely not. This shit did not do this to me. such a strong 4.5 stars. This thing wrecked me, the angst, the hurt no comfort, the intersectionality between religious guilt and sexual desire is something I've been looking for in a book for so long after reading Sierra Simone's Priest series and this delivered. The beginning started off very weak for my liking but the way it completely did a 180 I was shocked.
LUKE????????? VANNNNNCEEEE???? LLLLUUKKKKEEE?????? THEY HURT ME SO MUCH!!!
The next few days smear into one another. My phone's broken for a few them; I'm too tired to take it to an Apple store. I work on the portrait bust I call Vake. Luke and me ... his eyes and brow and jaw, my mouth and cheeks and hair.
Ella James did not have to hurt me like thisssssss. Luke's struggle with his sexuality is so painful to read about, the boat scene, keeping Vance's painting hanging over his bed so when he sleeps with a woman he can just look at the painting instead and imagine it's Vance (when I tell you I screamed when I read that), when he called Vance from Tokyo. Just an absolute mess Luke and I are.
But let's not forget about Vance, this guy who needs Luke like air in his lungs, the loneliness he feels without him in his life was crushing. The depression he fell into around New Years changed my perspective of him as a character completely and I came to empathize with him all the more for it.
And then the door is shut between us. Then the curtain falls. The woods go dark. I go inside, but that night, I can't sleep.
The prose is amazing and while the writing and time jumps and random character introductions where jarring at first, once I got into the flow of it, it felt like a revelation. But the way this book ended. I'm maaaaddddd! I'm so ready for the next book. I just want them to be happy :(((((((
Reread 2025
YUP! PAINFUL THEN, PAINFUL NOW :D
-------------------
1st read 2022
No. Absolutely not. This shit did not do this to me. such a strong 4.5 stars. This thing wrecked me, the angst, the hurt no comfort, the intersectionality between religious guilt and sexual desire is something I've been looking for in a book for so long after reading Sierra Simone's Priest series and this delivered. The beginning started off very weak for my liking but the way it completely did a 180 I was shocked.
LUKE????????? VANNNNNCEEEE???? LLLLUUKKKKEEE?????? THEY HURT ME SO MUCH!!!
The next few days smear into one another. My phone's broken for a few them; I'm too tired to take it to an Apple store. I work on the portrait bust I call Vake. Luke and me ... his eyes and brow and jaw, my mouth and cheeks and hair.
Ella James did not have to hurt me like thisssssss. Luke's struggle with his sexuality is so painful to read about, the boat scene, keeping Vance's painting hanging over his bed so when he sleeps with a woman he can just look at the painting instead and imagine it's Vance (when I tell you I screamed when I read that), when he called Vance from Tokyo. Just an absolute mess Luke and I are.
But let's not forget about Vance, this guy who needs Luke like air in his lungs, the loneliness he feels without him in his life was crushing. The depression he fell into around New Years changed my perspective of him as a character completely and I came to empathize with him all the more for it.
And then the door is shut between us. Then the curtain falls. The woods go dark. I go inside, but that night, I can't sleep.
The prose is amazing and while the writing and time jumps and random character introductions where jarring at first, once I got into the flow of it, it felt like a revelation. But the way this book ended. I'm maaaaddddd! I'm so ready for the next book. I just want them to be happy :(((((((
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 30, 2020
Hm, okay.
Right off the bat, I'm deducting a star because of the many typos there were throughout. Maybe I'm just being an asshole, but it really annoys me when I see many a misspelled word or sentence error while reading.
I'm giving this book 2 stars are because the smut was really hot (although it was so sudden and there was way too much of it and really no significant dialogue between them), and I really liked the electric chemistry between the two MC's. Although I don't LOVE them. I really couldn't connect with Luke or Vance, I was just like meh, okay, WHATEVER about them.
It was shocking to me to find out that really got me. And because of that, I can understand Luke's decision to not speak about himself much. And that last line was great too, it really hooks you in for book 2, which I will certainly read, but not right when it comes out. I've got many anticipated reads that are coming out soon that will have my full attention.
Right off the bat, I'm deducting a star because of the many typos there were throughout. Maybe I'm just being an asshole, but it really annoys me when I see many a misspelled word or sentence error while reading.
I'm giving this book 2 stars are because the smut was really hot (although it was so sudden and there was way too much of it and really no significant dialogue between them), and I really liked the electric chemistry between the two MC's. Although I don't LOVE them. I really couldn't connect with Luke or Vance, I was just like meh, okay, WHATEVER about them.
It was shocking to me to find out that really got me. And because of that, I can understand Luke's decision to not speak about himself much. And that last line was great too, it really hooks you in for book 2, which I will certainly read, but not right when it comes out. I've got many anticipated reads that are coming out soon that will have my full attention.
September 18, 2021
arkadaşlar çok iyi düet.
bayağı iyi kitap.
Eroticalarda hot derken sex-sells olmak var, romantic derken over-the-top-drama olmak var, dirty olayım derken cheesy olmak var. Eski readerım da gittiği için alıntı felan veremiyorum ama inanılmaz iyi yazmış James.
🔥+💕+💦
kitabın formülü bu. diiijem bu kadar.
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