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A review by jessiereadsfantasy
Priest by Sierra Simone
5.0
Everything about this book was nearly perfect to me. This book was very well written, from the characters to the depictions of Father Bell's religious struggles.
Though this book is written from the viewpoint of a Catholic priest, and there are many references to Catholicism, you do not have to be Catholic or even religious to appreciate how Ms. Simone detailed the characters' relationships with the religion. Anyone who reads the book can understand what it means to struggle between desiring two things that pull at your heart and soul. Father Bell (aka Tyler) has two loves: Poppy and God. Due to his priesthood, he is not supposed to want or have Poppy. God became a pillar in his life when his sister died, and he threw himself into religion as a way to honor his sister and help his family and the town heal from the actions of the previous priest. The conflict here is based on the human desire to want to love versus altruism. Being selfless is part of Tyler's job. However, love can also be selfless, and also selfish. Watching Tyler battle this push and pull of the two sides made me turn page after page.
The book is heavy on the spice and the spice is well-written. It is a break from the internal turmoil within Tyler's head, and at one point in the book he does say that the sex paused the world around him and gave him a break from his thoughts. As a reader, you get that feeling and then when the spice is over, you have a collective moment with Tyler in that he must return to the real world.
Lastly, as an aside, I wonder if Ms. Simone purposefully named her Poppy because the flower symbolizes remembrance and hope for a peaceful future.
4.5/5 stars; 3.5/5 spice - would absolutely recommend this book to anyone.
Though this book is written from the viewpoint of a Catholic priest, and there are many references to Catholicism, you do not have to be Catholic or even religious to appreciate how Ms. Simone detailed the characters' relationships with the religion. Anyone who reads the book can understand what it means to struggle between desiring two things that pull at your heart and soul. Father Bell (aka Tyler) has two loves: Poppy and God. Due to his priesthood, he is not supposed to want or have Poppy. God became a pillar in his life when his sister died, and he threw himself into religion as a way to honor his sister and help his family and the town heal from the actions of the previous priest. The conflict here is based on the human desire to want to love versus altruism. Being selfless is part of Tyler's job. However, love can also be selfless, and also selfish. Watching Tyler battle this push and pull of the two sides made me turn page after page.
The book is heavy on the spice and the spice is well-written. It is a break from the internal turmoil within Tyler's head, and at one point in the book he does say that the sex paused the world around him and gave him a break from his thoughts. As a reader, you get that feeling and then when the spice is over, you have a collective moment with Tyler in that he must return to the real world.
Lastly, as an aside, I wonder if Ms. Simone purposefully named her Poppy because the flower symbolizes remembrance and hope for a peaceful future.
4.5/5 stars; 3.5/5 spice - would absolutely recommend this book to anyone.