The sinner By Sierra Simone

The Sinner is the second installment of the Priest Series. Unlike his brother, Sean Bell wants nothing to do with  God, the church, or any other part of it. Then, in true God fashion, he runs into Zanny. His brother's little sister, who is not so little anymore. She is breathtakingly gorgeous. He insistently remind himself that he must stay away from her; she is too young for him, way too young.  Although he knows he should stay away, little Zany is practicing to become a nun; she has one final test she must pass, and that is to learn about sex. Who better to turn to than your brother's best friend? Someone you've known all your life and trust completely, what could possibly go wrong?

I’m a sinner with a dimpled smile and perfect hair, and I know how to make sin feel like heaven. 🫠🫠🫠

 These Bell Brothers are just built differently...

I'm late to the party, but good lord, I'm loving catching up!! What a ride this book was!! From start to finish, I was completely captivated by everything Sean Bell. Now I love love love Father Bell after reading the priest, I found it very hard to believe anyone else could top that. I'm so happy to report that Sean Bell definitely does.

“Well, I do feel like I should mention that I think virginity in general is an arbitrary construct designed by men as a system of control and fear. And it’s heteronormative. And limiting, because why do certain sexual acts preserve virginity and some destroy it? What if I fucked a dildo every night, but I hadn’t fucked a man? Why doesn’t anal sex count? And what if I was with someone and penetration wasn’t an option, for any number of biological or emotional or identity reasons—would that make our sex less somehow? I’d be a virgin forever?”

Excuse me while I pick my jaw up off the floor!! And have I ever thought of it that way? There were many moments throughout this book when I felt the author was speaking to me directly. 

This was for sure a 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with a scorching spice level 🥵🥵. I simply cannot get enough

And with that, I'm off to read about the youngest brother, Aiden 😊

The Way I Used To Be by Amber Smith

 

The book starts off with 14-year-old Eden dealing with head-on trauma. With many failed attempts to tell her friends and family about said trauma. Eden decides she's just gonna keep it to herself, as many in her situation do; she believes no one will believe her. Barely coping, we watch as she handles this trauma the best way she knows how. 

“I feel these forbidden thoughts creep in sometimes without warning. Slow thoughts that always start quietly, like whispers you're not even sure you're hearing. And then they get louder and louder until they become every sound in the entire world. Thoughts that can't be undone.
Would anyone care?
Would anyone even fucking notice?
What if one day I just wasn't here anymore?
What if one day it all just stopped?”

For me, this book starts off slow. And after reading it in its entirety, I do understand why that is. I'm just impatient lol. Some of the events in this book were hard to read without crying because of how close to home this book hit. Personally, I think this book should be read by EVERYONE!! especially those who believe they are all alone. But more so for those whose loved ones have survived trauma of any kind.

This book also doesn't have a traditional HEA ending. However, it does have a holding on to hope vibe, which I felt was very fitting.

Now the question remains... do I continue this series? Have you read it? If so, is it gonna break my heart further? 😬

⭐⭐⭐.5