I think I felt this way because it’s only told from Tyler’s POV. On the other hand, Poppy was criminally underdeveloped. Tyler was bit of a sad horny boy, but he grew over the course of the book. Like how could it not be bad? I mean it could have been worse, but your anxiety is totally rational. Which was both not as bad as I expected, but still bad enough to rationalize my anxiety. My anxiety was on high alert the entire time waiting for the fallout. I do wish we saw more of their town, but it didn’t detract from the book. I loved Millie and Father Jordan to be especially endearing. The supporting characters added an extra layer of humanity to Poppy and Tyler which was super needed. But the after moments were always the tenderest. I wish we would have gotten some more non-physical intimate moments, but the lack didn’t take away from the book. Tyler consistently asks Poppy for her consent and checks up on her while they’re doing some pretty intense things. While Tyler and Poppy aren’t the best at communication, I thought it was well done enough. But like it was good? The writing around sex and church and God was brilliant. It added humor and made things a bit more palpable? Like the altar scene (spoiler alert they do it on the altar). I appreciated how Simone tied in a lot of biblical and canonical references throughout the book. But because of having to go through confirmation & taking some theology classes in college I loved this aspect of the book. I was raised Catholic although I don’t consider myself practicing. Now that’s established I thought it was a very well written book that takes on a lot. We’ve got Bell’s sister’s suicide due to the church & then add some emotional abuse as well. But this book is a bit more layered than just that.

First you’ve got the whole priest having pretty intense sex everywhere in the church. But I will never tell a soul in my family that I’ve read this book (looking at you Catholic guilt).

Six months ago, I broke my vow of celibacy on the altar of my own church, and God help me, I would do it again. I’ve always been good at following rules. There are many rules a priest can’t break.Ī priest cannot marry. Available: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | KoboĬontent Warnings: suicide of family member, sexual assault (not described), emotional abuse, trauma, breaking of religious vows

Priest by Sierra Simone