Massive spoilers ahead!

Holy baloney, I don't even really know what to say about this book or how to actually rate it. I mean, I did read it all the way through (by the pool in Las Vegas and on the plane ride home) so there is that.

Basically, a super hot Catholic priest immediately falls into instant-lust with a beautiful, non-Catholic but seeking God, financial genius by day, stripper by night gal who comes to his confession hours.

Billed as a "forbidden romance" which is partly true, for obvious reasons, but also is party false because while Father Tyler Bell has some internal struggle, there is not much time between holy shit this lady is sexy and "I'm unzipping my pants" during confession, to banging on the altar. In the church! What! I mean, lapsed Catholic that I am, I just. Wow.

And there is so. much. banging. So much. And Father Bell, I'm sorry, "just the tip" is not equivalent to "not really breaking your vows." But hey, whatevs.

Overall, I found this extremely titillating but lacking in plot development. The book is entirely in Father Bell's perspective which I didn't exactly love. Poppy was not as developed of a character as I like to see in my romance. I also didn't enjoy Father Bell's reasons for taking up the priesthood in the first place. Nothing about his inner monologue made me believe his holiness and sanctity. He was play boy who loved rough, dirty sex until his sister's rape by priest made him want to be one? Oooookay....

The writing was very compelling and the author is obviously deeply connected to Catholic roots. Boy, did I feel like I need a good confession when I was through. Read at your own risk.

I picked this one up based on Sarah MacLean's Read More Romance list.