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Forgive Me #1
Forgive Me
Father Francis Scott
knows he’s damned, but at twenty-four years old, he has a lifetime to make up for past mistakes. Newly ordained, he’s determined to clean the stain off his soul, one day at a time.
Until an angel walks into his church, asking Francis to take his confession. One look into Vitari (Angel) Angelini’s eyes, and it’s clear, the man is made of sin.
Francis can’t afford any more mistakes. Unfortunately, the world Angel is about to pull Francis into leaves no room for good men, and as Francis is swept into the dark underworld of organized crime, his love of the Church, his broken soul, and all the sins he’s been running from, conspire to break him.
Will the seductive and alluring Vitari Angelini be his savior, or the final bullet in the gun of Francis’s downfall?
*
Angel has no idea why he’s been sent to England, other than to stakeout a priest for Italy’s most notorious mob boss. He hadn’t expected Father Francis Scott to be so young, or for him to be sinfully hot in his black cassock. He also hadn’t expected the priest’s haunted eyes to be filled with secrets.
But when a rival criminal syndicate get the drop on Angel, almost executing Francis under Angel's watch, kidnapping the priest seems like the next best option. Now they’re on the run, barely one step ahead of assassins who think nothing of crossing countries and continents to track them.
Why are the Russian and Italian mafia so desperate to get their hands on Father Francis Scott? And why does Angel care?
As they race to stay alive, Angel can’t shake the feeling there’s more to all of this than one not-so-innocent priest. And as the truth of their terrible pasts collide, so do their forbidden desires.
Not all angels have wings. Some have horns. And Father Francis Scott deserves forgiveness, even if it costs Angel everything. Including his life.
*
Forgive Me is a dark contemporary gay thriller, with potentially disturbing content. More details regarding the content warnings can be found on the author's website.
Until an angel walks into his church, asking Francis to take his confession. One look into Vitari (Angel) Angelini’s eyes, and it’s clear, the man is made of sin.
Francis can’t afford any more mistakes. Unfortunately, the world Angel is about to pull Francis into leaves no room for good men, and as Francis is swept into the dark underworld of organized crime, his love of the Church, his broken soul, and all the sins he’s been running from, conspire to break him.
Will the seductive and alluring Vitari Angelini be his savior, or the final bullet in the gun of Francis’s downfall?
*
Angel has no idea why he’s been sent to England, other than to stakeout a priest for Italy’s most notorious mob boss. He hadn’t expected Father Francis Scott to be so young, or for him to be sinfully hot in his black cassock. He also hadn’t expected the priest’s haunted eyes to be filled with secrets.
But when a rival criminal syndicate get the drop on Angel, almost executing Francis under Angel's watch, kidnapping the priest seems like the next best option. Now they’re on the run, barely one step ahead of assassins who think nothing of crossing countries and continents to track them.
Why are the Russian and Italian mafia so desperate to get their hands on Father Francis Scott? And why does Angel care?
As they race to stay alive, Angel can’t shake the feeling there’s more to all of this than one not-so-innocent priest. And as the truth of their terrible pasts collide, so do their forbidden desires.
Not all angels have wings. Some have horns. And Father Francis Scott deserves forgiveness, even if it costs Angel everything. Including his life.
*
Forgive Me is a dark contemporary gay thriller, with potentially disturbing content. More details regarding the content warnings can be found on the author's website.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 15, 2023
About the author
Ariana Nash
45 books2,027 followersBorn to wolves, Ariana Nash only ventures from the Cornish moors when the moon is fat and the night alive with myths and legends. She captures those myths in glass jars and returning home, weaves them into stories filled with forbidden desires, fantasy realms, and wicked delights.
Her debut novel Silk & Steel hit Amazon's:
#1 LGBT Bestsellers Horror
#1 LGBT Bestsellers Fantasy
#1 LGBT Fantasy Hot New Releases
#1 LGBT Horror Hot New Releases - for 3 months!
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Her debut novel Silk & Steel hit Amazon's:
#1 LGBT Bestsellers Horror
#1 LGBT Bestsellers Fantasy
#1 LGBT Fantasy Hot New Releases
#1 LGBT Horror Hot New Releases - for 3 months!
Join her Goodreads group here: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
Sign up to her newsletter here: https://www.subscribepage.com/silk-steel
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March 14, 2024 SERIES NOW COMPLETE!
UPDATE: Sept 2023. Now that I'm finally beginning to write this, I can update y'all. The below snippet will not appear in the book in its current form, but a similar scene does happen in the opening chapter. I'm going to leave the below flash-fiction piece here though, because deleting it feels wrong. We all kinda love it, and it's where the boys began, so let's let them have their moment before the REAL novel releases ;)
*
So what happened? Fans in my FB group posted a tantalising piece of art featuring a bloody bad boy on his knees in a confessional, kissing the hand of a patient priest. This gets my muse all fired up. I figure, "Hm, I can write some flash fiction. It'll be fun."
FORGIVE ME…
ARIANA NASH
“Bless me, Father, for I have sinned.”
The sudden voice alerted me to the fact I wasn’t alone. Most people stumbled their way inside the confessional and took a few moments to compose themselves and get comfortable. Bags would thump against the wooden partition wall, shoes would shuffle, people muttered and fidgeted. But not the man who had spoken. How long had he been behind the lattice screen and why was he so silent?
“Father?”
“Yes, I’m h-here.” I smoothed down my cassock, pushing out the creases in the thick, black fabric. He’d startled me, that was all. He likely didn’t notice the stammer. “Please, go on.”
The quiet had returned. Confession, even anonymous, is not as easy as most people outside of the church believed. “How long has it been since your last confession?” A little prompting might ease him into speaking.
Seconds ticked on. Had he left as silently as he’d arrived? Not even the soft sounds of his breathing reached me and for a moment the urge to peer through the lattice became almost undeniable—to see the man who sat so quietly that he might not exist at all.
“I’m not sure I’ve ever been.” His smooth, calm voice sailed through the lattice hatch. A hint of humor gave his tone a dry lilt. Apparently, his own words amused him. He didn’t sound old, might even have been my age, in his mid-twenties.
“Your first time. It’s all right.” I smiled, not that he’d see, but he’d hear it in my voice. “If it helps any, I’m new to this as well.”
“The youngest priest in the region—”
Clearing my throat, I said, “This is not a conversational but a confessional. Please, if you have something to confess, I am here to assist in that.”
He chuckled softly. A pleasant sound in our small, shared space. “How does this work?” he asked. “I tell you everything? We might be here a while.”
“Put into words what you have done wrong, what brought you here, to me. When you’re finished, tell God you are sorry for those sins and the sins of your past life. I will give you a penance, you then make an Act of Contrition—”
“It’s been a long time since I attended church.” The humor had vanished and his tone had hardened, becoming colder. That admission wasn’t an easy one.
When he offered no further information, I asked, “Is that your confession?”
“No. Well, it could be. There’s a real long list.”
“You don’t need to list everything. The minor sins, the venial, are forgiven through prayer and Communion. What sin brought you here today? What made you seek God?”
A soft pause, followed by, “You did.”
“I…” I swallowed, trying to smooth the creak in my voice like I’d smoothed away the creases in my clothing. “What do you mean?”
“I saw you—” He cut off. “It’s hard to explain.”
“I’m listening.”
“Yes,” he sighed. “You are.”
The soft swish of the curtain and the rapid tap of his shoes on the church’s tiled floor signaled his abrupt leaving. A small part of me, the intrigued part, wanted to open the confessional door and steal a glimpse of the man walking away. Did he have dark hair, like I imagined? A slight frame? No large person could move so swiftly and silently. But the confessional was anonymous. A good priest did not succumb to his own curiosity by surreptitiously admiring those he was supposed to be helping.
I curled my hands into fists and rested them on my thighs. And there they stayed until the sound of his marching faded and the heavy church door clanged an end to our meeting.
What had he meant when I’d asked what sin had brought him to me? Was I his sin? No, that was preposterous. I didn’t know him.
But I wanted to. The man of many sins...
Slumping back, I tilted my head, blinked at the ornately carved woodwork arched above, and whispered, “Forgive me…”
© Ariana Nash 2021
***
Keep en eye here and on my newsletter for further news. Check out the Pinterest board here.
UPDATE: Sept 2023. Now that I'm finally beginning to write this, I can update y'all. The below snippet will not appear in the book in its current form, but a similar scene does happen in the opening chapter. I'm going to leave the below flash-fiction piece here though, because deleting it feels wrong. We all kinda love it, and it's where the boys began, so let's let them have their moment before the REAL novel releases ;)
*
So what happened? Fans in my FB group posted a tantalising piece of art featuring a bloody bad boy on his knees in a confessional, kissing the hand of a patient priest. This gets my muse all fired up. I figure, "Hm, I can write some flash fiction. It'll be fun."
FORGIVE ME…
ARIANA NASH
“Bless me, Father, for I have sinned.”
The sudden voice alerted me to the fact I wasn’t alone. Most people stumbled their way inside the confessional and took a few moments to compose themselves and get comfortable. Bags would thump against the wooden partition wall, shoes would shuffle, people muttered and fidgeted. But not the man who had spoken. How long had he been behind the lattice screen and why was he so silent?
“Father?”
“Yes, I’m h-here.” I smoothed down my cassock, pushing out the creases in the thick, black fabric. He’d startled me, that was all. He likely didn’t notice the stammer. “Please, go on.”
The quiet had returned. Confession, even anonymous, is not as easy as most people outside of the church believed. “How long has it been since your last confession?” A little prompting might ease him into speaking.
Seconds ticked on. Had he left as silently as he’d arrived? Not even the soft sounds of his breathing reached me and for a moment the urge to peer through the lattice became almost undeniable—to see the man who sat so quietly that he might not exist at all.
“I’m not sure I’ve ever been.” His smooth, calm voice sailed through the lattice hatch. A hint of humor gave his tone a dry lilt. Apparently, his own words amused him. He didn’t sound old, might even have been my age, in his mid-twenties.
“Your first time. It’s all right.” I smiled, not that he’d see, but he’d hear it in my voice. “If it helps any, I’m new to this as well.”
“The youngest priest in the region—”
Clearing my throat, I said, “This is not a conversational but a confessional. Please, if you have something to confess, I am here to assist in that.”
He chuckled softly. A pleasant sound in our small, shared space. “How does this work?” he asked. “I tell you everything? We might be here a while.”
“Put into words what you have done wrong, what brought you here, to me. When you’re finished, tell God you are sorry for those sins and the sins of your past life. I will give you a penance, you then make an Act of Contrition—”
“It’s been a long time since I attended church.” The humor had vanished and his tone had hardened, becoming colder. That admission wasn’t an easy one.
When he offered no further information, I asked, “Is that your confession?”
“No. Well, it could be. There’s a real long list.”
“You don’t need to list everything. The minor sins, the venial, are forgiven through prayer and Communion. What sin brought you here today? What made you seek God?”
A soft pause, followed by, “You did.”
“I…” I swallowed, trying to smooth the creak in my voice like I’d smoothed away the creases in my clothing. “What do you mean?”
“I saw you—” He cut off. “It’s hard to explain.”
“I’m listening.”
“Yes,” he sighed. “You are.”
The soft swish of the curtain and the rapid tap of his shoes on the church’s tiled floor signaled his abrupt leaving. A small part of me, the intrigued part, wanted to open the confessional door and steal a glimpse of the man walking away. Did he have dark hair, like I imagined? A slight frame? No large person could move so swiftly and silently. But the confessional was anonymous. A good priest did not succumb to his own curiosity by surreptitiously admiring those he was supposed to be helping.
I curled my hands into fists and rested them on my thighs. And there they stayed until the sound of his marching faded and the heavy church door clanged an end to our meeting.
What had he meant when I’d asked what sin had brought him to me? Was I his sin? No, that was preposterous. I didn’t know him.
But I wanted to. The man of many sins...
Slumping back, I tilted my head, blinked at the ornately carved woodwork arched above, and whispered, “Forgive me…”
© Ariana Nash 2021
***
Keep en eye here and on my newsletter for further news. Check out the Pinterest board here.
April 9, 2024
✦ a dark contemporary romance between a priest and mafia enforcer written by Ariana Nash? i am gagged.
“Will you take my confession?” Vitari asked, in his sly, mocking tone.
Francis sighed, as though he were the one unburdening his soul. “You know I will.”
✦ a thrilling plot set up, a lot of suspenseful moments, violence, corruption, opposites attract, great chemistry and tension between the main characters, lots of unanswered questions and mysteries, hot smut (the gun scene... omg), touch him and DIE type of romance... honestly what's not to love.
✦ an amazing start to the series. i loved it and can't wait to start reading book 2.
“Will you take my confession?” Vitari asked, in his sly, mocking tone.
Francis sighed, as though he were the one unburdening his soul. “You know I will.”
✦ a thrilling plot set up, a lot of suspenseful moments, violence, corruption, opposites attract, great chemistry and tension between the main characters, lots of unanswered questions and mysteries, hot smut (the gun scene... omg), touch him and DIE type of romance... honestly what's not to love.
✦ an amazing start to the series. i loved it and can't wait to start reading book 2.
October 9, 2024
I was provided an e-copy of the book by the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
✅ Sexual tension and MM smut (not exactly a romance yet)
✅ Forbidden relationship
✅ Characters
✅ Mafia, car chases and gun fights
✅ Pace
✅ Quick read
✅ Plot
✅(🆗) Relationship development
❗️❗️Trigger warnings: mentions of past sexual abuse of children, and human trafficking, torture, death, drugs, homophobia, and religious abuse of power
Father Francis Scott’s life is quiet and very mundane. It’s dreary and not what he dreamed of doing with his life, but he is determined to try his best to help his parishioners, and it works fine, until the day he gets attacked by two mobsters, and then abducted by another. Vitari has been sent by his father, the head of the Battaglia family, to watch over Father Francis, but when he realizes that the DeSicas are after him, he decides to abduct him to keep him alive and figure out what the DeSicas want with him. Poor Father Francis finds himself uprooted and thrown in the middle of two gangs, and he doesn’t have the slightest idea what they want from him.
Father Francis Scott has many layers and even more secrets it seems. He appears to be a soft-spoken and easygoing man at first, but we quickly discover that there is a fire in him and that while he abhors violence and stays away from confrontations, he is no pushover, and the more time he spends with Vitari, the more confidence he gains, until he is able to stand for himself and do whatever is needed to protect the ones he cares about.
Vitati “Angel” Angellini is the bastard son of the Italian mafia boss, and I just adored his refined yet gruff persona. He wears nice clothes and appears all fancy, but the guy can throw a punch and get his hands dirty. He is not happy to have been sent on a babysitter’s mission in a boring little village in England, but the more time he spends observing Father Francis and interacting with him, the harder it is to remain detached and let him go. Vitari has this wilder side, and he pushes Francis out of his comfort zone, taking pleasure in corrupting a priest, but he always makes sure that Francis has the option to stop whatever they are doing. He pushes him, without forcing or coercing him, and I was happy about that, because poor Father Francis needed a push, but he also needs someone with a softer side to help him deal with all his conflicting emotions.
While I adored both characters, I would have liked to have a few more mundane moments between them. I feel that every moment they had in this book was either a car chase, an argument, or a smutty moment. I wanted more relationship development, and more "normal" time, especially since they spent a few months together. There is an obvious physical attraction between them, but I didn’t feel a true, deep connection and I hope this will be something that will be more developed in the next book.
As the wonderful Jacqueleen said in her review, there is something that feels taboo about reading how a hardened criminal is seducing and corrupting a priest. Father Francis’ conflicted feelings were well depicted and it felt realistic that he would struggle with his lust and desire to experiment with Vitari, while also feeling guilty because he was betraying his vows and the beliefs of the Church.
So, I am not a religious person, so I was not offended by this book, but keep in mind that it deals with religious abuse of power. While Father Francis knows that the Church helps people and that many priests are good people, he also knows that some members of the Church are rotten and abuse their powers. If this is something that might offend you or make you angry because you are a strong believer, maybe skip that book. 😉
It becomes clear as the story progresses that Vitari and Francis both have a dark past, filled with abuse, and it might have something to do with Vitari’s strange mission to watch the Father, and the fact that two gangs are after Francis. I imagine we’ll discover more about their shared past, as both of them spent some time in the same Boys’ Home, and it’s clear that the abuse that went on there is connected to what’s happening to Francis and Vitari.
This book is marketed as a “thriller” on Goodreads, but I wouldn’t call it that exactly. It is a mystery, and there is action and tension, but it was not anxiety or fear-inducing exactly. That being said, it was still a quick read, engaging from the first chapter and I just loved both characters, I want more of them! I also still have many unanswered questions about Francis' past, who was trying to get to him, and why (although there are clues that make it clear who is most probably behind it). Hopefully, we will have all these answers in the next book (btw, the next book is being released in January so we don’t have long to wait)!
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✅ Sexual tension and MM smut (not exactly a romance yet)
✅ Forbidden relationship
✅ Characters
✅ Mafia, car chases and gun fights
✅ Pace
✅ Quick read
✅ Plot
✅(🆗) Relationship development
❗️❗️Trigger warnings: mentions of past sexual abuse of children, and human trafficking, torture, death, drugs, homophobia, and religious abuse of power
All Francis had to do was befriend a killer. How hard could that be?
Father Francis Scott’s life is quiet and very mundane. It’s dreary and not what he dreamed of doing with his life, but he is determined to try his best to help his parishioners, and it works fine, until the day he gets attacked by two mobsters, and then abducted by another. Vitari has been sent by his father, the head of the Battaglia family, to watch over Father Francis, but when he realizes that the DeSicas are after him, he decides to abduct him to keep him alive and figure out what the DeSicas want with him. Poor Father Francis finds himself uprooted and thrown in the middle of two gangs, and he doesn’t have the slightest idea what they want from him.
That doe-eyed smalltown priest wasn’t made for shit like this. He wasn’t going to survive. It was a fucking miracle he’d lived this long.
Father Francis Scott has many layers and even more secrets it seems. He appears to be a soft-spoken and easygoing man at first, but we quickly discover that there is a fire in him and that while he abhors violence and stays away from confrontations, he is no pushover, and the more time he spends with Vitari, the more confidence he gains, until he is able to stand for himself and do whatever is needed to protect the ones he cares about.
When he opened his eyes, Angel peered through narrowed lashes. “Do you pray for me, Father?”
“Yes.”
“I feel holier already. Let’s eat.”
Vitati “Angel” Angellini is the bastard son of the Italian mafia boss, and I just adored his refined yet gruff persona. He wears nice clothes and appears all fancy, but the guy can throw a punch and get his hands dirty. He is not happy to have been sent on a babysitter’s mission in a boring little village in England, but the more time he spends observing Father Francis and interacting with him, the harder it is to remain detached and let him go. Vitari has this wilder side, and he pushes Francis out of his comfort zone, taking pleasure in corrupting a priest, but he always makes sure that Francis has the option to stop whatever they are doing. He pushes him, without forcing or coercing him, and I was happy about that, because poor Father Francis needed a push, but he also needs someone with a softer side to help him deal with all his conflicting emotions.
Did he wake up one day and have an epiphany, a vision, or was it a gradual process? It seemed a waste, for someone as attractive as Scott to be taken out of the gene pool. Humanity’s loss.
While I adored both characters, I would have liked to have a few more mundane moments between them. I feel that every moment they had in this book was either a car chase, an argument, or a smutty moment. I wanted more relationship development, and more "normal" time, especially since they spent a few months together. There is an obvious physical attraction between them, but I didn’t feel a true, deep connection and I hope this will be something that will be more developed in the next book.
“I’m going to fuckin’ ruin you, Father.”
As the wonderful Jacqueleen said in her review, there is something that feels taboo about reading how a hardened criminal is seducing and corrupting a priest. Father Francis’ conflicted feelings were well depicted and it felt realistic that he would struggle with his lust and desire to experiment with Vitari, while also feeling guilty because he was betraying his vows and the beliefs of the Church.
So, I am not a religious person, so I was not offended by this book, but keep in mind that it deals with religious abuse of power. While Father Francis knows that the Church helps people and that many priests are good people, he also knows that some members of the Church are rotten and abuse their powers. If this is something that might offend you or make you angry because you are a strong believer, maybe skip that book. 😉
A good guy like him? He’d probably vow to save Vitari’s soul. He could try, but Vitari’s soul was beyond saving. Perhaps Vitari would drag him down to Hell with him. Although considering the depth of pain in Father Scott’s eyes, he might already be there.
It becomes clear as the story progresses that Vitari and Francis both have a dark past, filled with abuse, and it might have something to do with Vitari’s strange mission to watch the Father, and the fact that two gangs are after Francis. I imagine we’ll discover more about their shared past, as both of them spent some time in the same Boys’ Home, and it’s clear that the abuse that went on there is connected to what’s happening to Francis and Vitari.
This book is marketed as a “thriller” on Goodreads, but I wouldn’t call it that exactly. It is a mystery, and there is action and tension, but it was not anxiety or fear-inducing exactly. That being said, it was still a quick read, engaging from the first chapter and I just loved both characters, I want more of them! I also still have many unanswered questions about Francis' past, who was trying to get to him, and why (although there are clues that make it clear who is most probably behind it). Hopefully, we will have all these answers in the next book (btw, the next book is being released in January so we don’t have long to wait)!
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December 9, 2023
3.5/5
As soon as I heard that this book would be a forbidden romance between a priest with a mysterious past and the son of a mafia boss who is send to capture him, I knew I had to read it as soon as possible. And you know what? For the first time this month - unfortunately I was disappointed by other new releases - my excitement finally paid off, because even though it wasn't a five-star material for me, I still had a great time reading it for most of the book.
The beginning, while still engaging, was quite slow, but once the book reached a certain point, I couldn't stop reading. When the action finally picked up, I literally couldn't put my kindle down as things just kept getting worse and worse for our main characters - with a few quiet moments - but worse, and I had to know how it would all end.
I really liked the main characters, Vitari and Father Francis, I liked Francis' character a tad more, but in the end Vitari grow on one me too. It was honestly hard to not like Francis because he was just a good person with a heart of gold. I had to admit that I’m a fan of the way the author showed the reality of the mafia, and the ugly side of being in it. Vitari was obviously a part of it, so I was skeptical about him, but he showed through his actions that he was actually a good man trying to be the good guy among the terrible people who surrounded him since childhood, so as I said above, I ended up liking him. Also, the chemistry between our two heroes may not have been off the charts, but they had many very good, hot moments together.
I didn't know there would be a second and third part of this book when I started reading it. The ending really stressed me out because there wasn't that big of a cliffhanger at the end, but the main characters still have a long way to go to be together. That’s why I can’t wait to put my hands on the second book. I need it now, because I need to see them even a little bit happy together.
If you are looking for a story with a a forbidden romance, touch him & die and "we can never do that again" moments, mafia son/ priest, opposite attracts and a romance book with a plot that actually keeps you in suspense, I highly recommend it.
*I received a copy of this book from GRR, and this is my honest review.*
As soon as I heard that this book would be a forbidden romance between a priest with a mysterious past and the son of a mafia boss who is send to capture him, I knew I had to read it as soon as possible. And you know what? For the first time this month - unfortunately I was disappointed by other new releases - my excitement finally paid off, because even though it wasn't a five-star material for me, I still had a great time reading it for most of the book.
The beginning, while still engaging, was quite slow, but once the book reached a certain point, I couldn't stop reading. When the action finally picked up, I literally couldn't put my kindle down as things just kept getting worse and worse for our main characters - with a few quiet moments - but worse, and I had to know how it would all end.
I really liked the main characters, Vitari and Father Francis, I liked Francis' character a tad more, but in the end Vitari grow on one me too. It was honestly hard to not like Francis because he was just a good person with a heart of gold. I had to admit that I’m a fan of the way the author showed the reality of the mafia, and the ugly side of being in it. Vitari was obviously a part of it, so I was skeptical about him, but he showed through his actions that he was actually a good man trying to be the good guy among the terrible people who surrounded him since childhood, so as I said above, I ended up liking him. Also, the chemistry between our two heroes may not have been off the charts, but they had many very good, hot moments together.
"Angel tore free, straddled Francis’s thighs, and whispered in his ear, “I’m going to fuckin’ ruin you, Father.”
I didn't know there would be a second and third part of this book when I started reading it. The ending really stressed me out because there wasn't that big of a cliffhanger at the end, but the main characters still have a long way to go to be together. That’s why I can’t wait to put my hands on the second book. I need it now, because I need to see them even a little bit happy together.
If you are looking for a story with a a forbidden romance, touch him & die and "we can never do that again" moments, mafia son/ priest, opposite attracts and a romance book with a plot that actually keeps you in suspense, I highly recommend it.
*I received a copy of this book from GRR, and this is my honest review.*
Shelved as 'dnf'
December 11, 2023No rating
know this will be a very unpopular opinion but I didn’t enjoy this. I thought for an assassin for the mafia that Angel was not very good. He was careless and left Francis alone so many times plus he didn’t scream “dark” or bc “villain” to me. I find when a book is labeled as a dark read it rarely lives up to that expectation for me.
Francis was portrayed in a much better light. He had been told to become a priest and he confessed his feelings for men but of course he as told that he could choose not to feel that way or he could pray it away. I felt for him and the author did a really great job with how confused he was and how he wasn’t happy in the priesthood.
I can’t say I won’t read the next book because I’d like to give it a try. There are some really good things that can happen between Angel and Francis. Hopefully I will find more in the future books.
**ARC received for review
**All thoughts and opinions are my own
know this will be a very unpopular opinion but I didn’t enjoy this. I thought for an assassin for the mafia that Angel was not very good. He was careless and left Francis alone so many times plus he didn’t scream “dark” or bc “villain” to me. I find when a book is labeled as a dark read it rarely lives up to that expectation for me.
Francis was portrayed in a much better light. He had been told to become a priest and he confessed his feelings for men but of course he as told that he could choose not to feel that way or he could pray it away. I felt for him and the author did a really great job with how confused he was and how he wasn’t happy in the priesthood.
I can’t say I won’t read the next book because I’d like to give it a try. There are some really good things that can happen between Angel and Francis. Hopefully I will find more in the future books.
**ARC received for review
**All thoughts and opinions are my own
September 15, 2024
This was an enjoyable, fast-paced (and moderately steamy) read.
If there's one thing I like about Ariana Nash, it's that she doesn't waste time getting to the point. Francis and Vitari meet in the first chapter (on the second page!) and it's full steam ahead.
Also, gun play? Well…
A word to the wise: this book deals with heavy themes, do read the CWs.
If there's one thing I like about Ariana Nash, it's that she doesn't waste time getting to the point. Francis and Vitari meet in the first chapter (on the second page!) and it's full steam ahead.
Also, gun play? Well…
A word to the wise: this book deals with heavy themes, do read the CWs.
December 11, 2023
Ariana is my comfort writer for that, I'm sure! This woman can write anything and make me fall in love with whatever hell scenarios she puts her babies through, be they elfs, dragons, angels, demons, assassins, deceiving Fae, court tricksters, powerful bilionaires, sexy vampires, or sweet monsters.
This time a priest, Francis, and Vitari, a mafia hitman, and what do we get? Explosions, UST over the roaf, mafia and church shenanigans, and some hot moments full of lust and attraction and the hope of more! And I'm totally here for this and MORE!
I wish the time they spent in Venezuela had more detail, what they did those days, some more interactions with the locals, and not just some "this happened.".
I can't wait for book 2, and I trust Ariana so much that I just go to that Read button blindly!
I received an ARC from her, and this is my honest opinion.
This time a priest, Francis, and Vitari, a mafia hitman, and what do we get? Explosions, UST over the roaf, mafia and church shenanigans, and some hot moments full of lust and attraction and the hope of more! And I'm totally here for this and MORE!
I wish the time they spent in Venezuela had more detail, what they did those days, some more interactions with the locals, and not just some "this happened.".
I can't wait for book 2, and I trust Ariana so much that I just go to that Read button blindly!
I received an ARC from her, and this is my honest opinion.
April 9, 2024
this author can do no wrong in my head 🔫
December 3, 2023
"How could someone so beautiful be capable of such terrible things?"
Is it just me, or did this feel a little taboo reading about a god-fearing yet lusty priest and his snack of a mafia enforcer? Even so, this was delicious. Father Francis Scott has so many layers. I don't have him quite figured out yet. Angel is much easier. He, surprisingly, is quite emotive in his thoughts. And man does Angel have a lot of thoughts about Francis.
"I'm going to fuckin' ruin you, Father."
You'd think the mafia man would be the more secretive of the two, but it's Francis who takes the cake on that one. We spend much of the book in the dark about what is really going on. I have a lot of theories, but no concrete proof of who Francis really is and why the mafia is so hell bent on getting their hands on the young priest. Thankfully, the only man to "get his hands" on Francis in this book is Angel. Francis has had enough unwanted touching for a lifetime I imagine.
These two were hot together. The whole dirty talkin/corrupting of a priest really gets the heart pumping on the whole forbidden aspect of it all. I have no idea how things are going to play out in book 2. The mafia most definitely is not down for man on man lovin' and I just cannot see a way for Angel to come out of this whole thing alive without taking the entire thing down from the top. I'm glad Ruin Me comes out soon and I won't have to wait overly long to find out.
Is it just me, or did this feel a little taboo reading about a god-fearing yet lusty priest and his snack of a mafia enforcer? Even so, this was delicious. Father Francis Scott has so many layers. I don't have him quite figured out yet. Angel is much easier. He, surprisingly, is quite emotive in his thoughts. And man does Angel have a lot of thoughts about Francis.
"I'm going to fuckin' ruin you, Father."
You'd think the mafia man would be the more secretive of the two, but it's Francis who takes the cake on that one. We spend much of the book in the dark about what is really going on. I have a lot of theories, but no concrete proof of who Francis really is and why the mafia is so hell bent on getting their hands on the young priest. Thankfully, the only man to "get his hands" on Francis in this book is Angel. Francis has had enough unwanted touching for a lifetime I imagine.
These two were hot together. The whole dirty talkin/corrupting of a priest really gets the heart pumping on the whole forbidden aspect of it all. I have no idea how things are going to play out in book 2. The mafia most definitely is not down for man on man lovin' and I just cannot see a way for Angel to come out of this whole thing alive without taking the entire thing down from the top. I'm glad Ruin Me comes out soon and I won't have to wait overly long to find out.
November 30, 2023
“What sin brought you here today? What made you seek God?”
A soft pause. “You did,” he whispered.
ARC Review~
Father Francis Scott is a young priest minding his own business when he gets caught between two crime syndicates! Rather than let his rivals kill Francis, Vitari Angelini aka Angel aka Angelo Della Morte kidnaps him and they go on an international run pursued by various enemies.
Y’all. The drama. The intrigue. The forbidden love. This is everything I wanted in a mafia/priest romance and more! It’s fast paced, you don’t know who to trust, and these two are just drawn together. Everything comes back to the same shady Boys’ Home in England and I can’t wait to see the mystery fully unravel in book two!
Vitari and Francis are such fantastic MCs because on the surface they couldn’t be more different but underneath they both have past demons and are stuck in roles that make them miserable. It’s going to be a rough journey to their (hopefully) HEA but man is it going to be worth it.
A soft pause. “You did,” he whispered.
ARC Review~
Father Francis Scott is a young priest minding his own business when he gets caught between two crime syndicates! Rather than let his rivals kill Francis, Vitari Angelini aka Angel aka Angelo Della Morte kidnaps him and they go on an international run pursued by various enemies.
Y’all. The drama. The intrigue. The forbidden love. This is everything I wanted in a mafia/priest romance and more! It’s fast paced, you don’t know who to trust, and these two are just drawn together. Everything comes back to the same shady Boys’ Home in England and I can’t wait to see the mystery fully unravel in book two!
Vitari and Francis are such fantastic MCs because on the surface they couldn’t be more different but underneath they both have past demons and are stuck in roles that make them miserable. It’s going to be a rough journey to their (hopefully) HEA but man is it going to be worth it.
August 9, 2024
Francis was beautiful. Vitari didn’t deserve him, or this. Francis should make him beg, and Vitari would. He’d beg for that cum. “I’m on my knees for you. I know you like me here. Ruin me, Francis.”
📚⇢ Sé que esta será una opinión muy impopular, pero no fue lo que esperaba. Para empezar, el ritmo de la historia es algo extraño, al inicio pasan las cosas muy lentas desde que Vitari entra en la iglesia y habla por primera vez con el padre Francis hasta que finalmente decide secuestrarlo para llevarlo a Italia. Después, todo acelera y cuando te das cuenta ya están en Venezuela, luego me dicen que han pasado meses viviendo juntos ahí y que en todo ese tiempo no han podido irse conociendo o ser más cercados; me pareció una oportunidad desperdiciada ya que había potencial para que ambos llegaran a conocerse a un nivel más íntimo (y no me refiero a sexo).
📚⇢ Luego están los protagonistas, sentí que hubo un cambio en la personalidad de Angel que salió de la nada, al principio es este tipo estoico y que asesina a sangre fría, luego conforme avanzan los capítulos se va ablandando y sólo podía pensar que, para ser un asesino de la mafia, no era muy bueno. Fue descuidado y dejó a Francis solo tantas veces, además de que no me dio vibes de "dark" o "villano". Francis es un poco más confuso para mi, ya que no logro entender cómo va su personalidad, dice que fue obligado a ser sacerdote pero luego también dice que entró para desenmascarar a los abusadores y hacer justicia; cuando Angel le cuenta lo que pasó en su infancia no le da gran importancia, ni siquiera intenta empatizar o darle apoyo moral. Idk, sentí que la química de ambos como pareja era inexistente y que todo se basó en los momentos de sexo pero sin sentimientos reales de por medio; en cada ocasión que terminaban separados, Francis ni siquiera pensaba en volver a estar o buscar a Vitari, nuevamente digo que es por la falta de un vínculo sentimental entre ambos. De la trama aún no comentaré gran cosa porque faltan dos libros más y espero que en el siguiente tenga todo más coherencia para mi.
📚⇢ Sé que esta será una opinión muy impopular, pero no fue lo que esperaba. Para empezar, el ritmo de la historia es algo extraño, al inicio pasan las cosas muy lentas desde que Vitari entra en la iglesia y habla por primera vez con el padre Francis hasta que finalmente decide secuestrarlo para llevarlo a Italia. Después, todo acelera y cuando te das cuenta ya están en Venezuela, luego me dicen que han pasado meses viviendo juntos ahí y que en todo ese tiempo no han podido irse conociendo o ser más cercados; me pareció una oportunidad desperdiciada ya que había potencial para que ambos llegaran a conocerse a un nivel más íntimo (y no me refiero a sexo).
📚⇢ Luego están los protagonistas, sentí que hubo un cambio en la personalidad de Angel que salió de la nada, al principio es este tipo estoico y que asesina a sangre fría, luego conforme avanzan los capítulos se va ablandando y sólo podía pensar que, para ser un asesino de la mafia, no era muy bueno. Fue descuidado y dejó a Francis solo tantas veces, además de que no me dio vibes de "dark" o "villano". Francis es un poco más confuso para mi, ya que no logro entender cómo va su personalidad, dice que fue obligado a ser sacerdote pero luego también dice que entró para desenmascarar a los abusadores y hacer justicia; cuando Angel le cuenta lo que pasó en su infancia no le da gran importancia, ni siquiera intenta empatizar o darle apoyo moral. Idk, sentí que la química de ambos como pareja era inexistente y que todo se basó en los momentos de sexo pero sin sentimientos reales de por medio; en cada ocasión que terminaban separados, Francis ni siquiera pensaba en volver a estar o buscar a Vitari, nuevamente digo que es por la falta de un vínculo sentimental entre ambos. De la trama aún no comentaré gran cosa porque faltan dos libros más y espero que en el siguiente tenga todo más coherencia para mi.
April 1, 2024
"Will you take my confession?"
"You know I will."
EVERYONE SHUT THE FUCK UP
This! Now THIS is what I meant when I said I wanted angsty sinful men with guns. This pushed all the right buttons for me and oh my god, how hot is Vitari Angelini???!!!!
Do not expect any coherent review from here on out. I am here to scream about this.
"Your heart's racing. You goin' to come?"
I cannot express how much I love this. I was literally rolling in bed. I want that Angel.
The action.
The tension.
The chemistry.
Ariana Nash seems to know what I want. I am actually afraid she can read my deepest desires lol. I haven't read mafia in sooooo long. One of the reasons is that authors tend to overdo them. They just feel so cringey, so I avoided them. But this is Ariana Nash, and she got to throw in a young charming priest in there so naturally I gave in. This cured my slump and I am so excited for the next books.
"You know I will."
EVERYONE SHUT THE FUCK UP
This! Now THIS is what I meant when I said I wanted angsty sinful men with guns. This pushed all the right buttons for me and oh my god, how hot is Vitari Angelini???!!!!
Do not expect any coherent review from here on out. I am here to scream about this.
"Your heart's racing. You goin' to come?"
I cannot express how much I love this. I was literally rolling in bed. I want that Angel.
The action.
The tension.
The chemistry.
Ariana Nash seems to know what I want. I am actually afraid she can read my deepest desires lol. I haven't read mafia in sooooo long. One of the reasons is that authors tend to overdo them. They just feel so cringey, so I avoided them. But this is Ariana Nash, and she got to throw in a young charming priest in there so naturally I gave in. This cured my slump and I am so excited for the next books.
May 18, 2024
5 stars
No one does tortured characters in M/M romance like Ariana Nash. Although I have mostly read her fantasy, I am really liking this forest into contemporary.
No one does tortured characters in M/M romance like Ariana Nash. Although I have mostly read her fantasy, I am really liking this forest into contemporary.
September 5, 2024
DNF 42%. It’s disjointed. It’s predictable. I don’t feel the development of 2 real people and how they might come together, meant to be together. I don’t feel anything at this point- not lust (bc there’s no real chemistry betw the MCs), not interest (bc the story is convoluted and illogical at times) and I’m getting sleepy at 7:30pm… all indications that I should stop.
So I will.
So I will.
December 17, 2023
“Do not call me, do not think of me, you and I are done.”
“I wasn’t aware we’d begun,” the wicked man purred.
“You’re terrible.”
“I know. Tell me again, just let me get somewhere private so I can really enjoy it.”
I just realized that this is the first contemporary story by this author. And what an awesome way to debut. Usually, for this kind of series where you follow the same couple each installment, I found the first book a little bit tedious with all the worldbuilding and the character’s introductions. But this book was far from it. With every turn of events I just wanted to keep reading, while at the same time there was still a lot to reveal in future installments.
Please read the triggers before diving into this series. It approaches a lot of delicate topics, most of them are implicit, that can be triggering.
When I heard this book was about a forbidden romance between a priest and a mobster I just couldn’t wait to have it in my hands. And neither Francis nor Vitari let me down. For a moment I thought this was going to be a slow burn but I'm glad that that wasn't the case and we got to see so many personal interactions between them.
Even though they come from different worlds, they both have to face the same prejudices. Sooner rather than later they’d realize how much they have in common. Though, they still have a long journey to discover themselves and each other.
An amazing start for this new series. But this is just getting started. Can’t wait to see what else Francis and Vitari would have to deal with!
*Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a free and honest review*
July 24, 2024
Well DAMN. I did not think i’d love this book so much but it suffices to say I ruined my perfectly kept sleep schedule of THREE MONTHS to finish this book. I did finish it in one sitting i just started reading it, left it and came back to it when i was in the mood.
Steam level: high and beautifully written.
Tw: abuse, a lot of it. Some dub-con but very light and somehow consent is involved you know?
Ending: hfn ig or cliffhanger. I personally am dying to read book two. Miss Nash if you have even 10 pages ready i am begging you give this protecting angel and my priest back to me.
The story is very dramatic and fact paced so know what you’re getting into, again this stuff was right up my alley so i loved every second of it.
I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book and i am leaving this review voluntarily. Thanks to the writer and grr website.
Steam level: high and beautifully written.
Tw: abuse, a lot of it. Some dub-con but very light and somehow consent is involved you know?
Ending: hfn ig or cliffhanger. I personally am dying to read book two. Miss Nash if you have even 10 pages ready i am begging you give this protecting angel and my priest back to me.
The story is very dramatic and fact paced so know what you’re getting into, again this stuff was right up my alley so i loved every second of it.
I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book and i am leaving this review voluntarily. Thanks to the writer and grr website.
March 15, 2024
I've always been searching for a good book between bad guys and priests but none of them ever really connected with me. This one is a whole different story.
This is not just about blasphemous s*x or the thrill of a relationship between a priest and a mafioso. This is a journey of deep scars and childhood trauma. The characters started from the same background and it's interesting to see how they grew up being total opposites: one tries to heal himself by helping others and following the God's call, while the other tries to keep his tormented child hidden behind his freedom as a mafioso king. It was so heartbreaking to see their inner demons and how they found comfort in eachother without even realising it. I connected with them on a whole different level and I wanted to hug them with all my might. Their fragility had me in tears more than once. Regarding this, please be aware of the TW, it's not a easy read.
Lastly, I want to point out that this is part of a duology. I usually hate them because I lost interest after the first book, but I can't wait to read what happens next. They really deserve an HEA 🥺💖
Oh, and as an Italian, thank you for spelling my language correctly! It's a rare event 😂
This is not just about blasphemous s*x or the thrill of a relationship between a priest and a mafioso. This is a journey of deep scars and childhood trauma. The characters started from the same background and it's interesting to see how they grew up being total opposites: one tries to heal himself by helping others and following the God's call, while the other tries to keep his tormented child hidden behind his freedom as a mafioso king. It was so heartbreaking to see their inner demons and how they found comfort in eachother without even realising it. I connected with them on a whole different level and I wanted to hug them with all my might. Their fragility had me in tears more than once. Regarding this, please be aware of the TW, it's not a easy read.
Lastly, I want to point out that this is part of a duology. I usually hate them because I lost interest after the first book, but I can't wait to read what happens next. They really deserve an HEA 🥺💖
Oh, and as an Italian, thank you for spelling my language correctly! It's a rare event 😂
January 17, 2024
Ahhhh
Every time Ariana releases another book I’m convinced it couldn’t possibly be better than the last, though I stand corrected every single time. I might be a little biased at this point but whatever🤫
I’d truly love nothing more than a lil peek inside her brain because I genuinely don’t understand how she comes up with this stuff. Like a mafia/priest pairing sounds crazy (hot, but crazy) but for some reason this story works so well, the plot is exciting and obviously a challenge for the characters because it wouldn’t be an Ariana Nash story if everyone wasn’t suffering😅
Francis and Vitari could not be more different on the outside (an upstanding law abiding priest and a man who is literally named the Angel of Death👀) but they have a connection like no other and are willing to kill to keep each other safe, and honestly if that isn’t romance I don’t know what is. I’m so excited for the next book even though I know my poor heart is going to be put through the wringer once again! ⭐️5/5 🌶️3.5/5
Every time Ariana releases another book I’m convinced it couldn’t possibly be better than the last, though I stand corrected every single time. I might be a little biased at this point but whatever🤫
I’d truly love nothing more than a lil peek inside her brain because I genuinely don’t understand how she comes up with this stuff. Like a mafia/priest pairing sounds crazy (hot, but crazy) but for some reason this story works so well, the plot is exciting and obviously a challenge for the characters because it wouldn’t be an Ariana Nash story if everyone wasn’t suffering😅
Francis and Vitari could not be more different on the outside (an upstanding law abiding priest and a man who is literally named the Angel of Death👀) but they have a connection like no other and are willing to kill to keep each other safe, and honestly if that isn’t romance I don’t know what is. I’m so excited for the next book even though I know my poor heart is going to be put through the wringer once again! ⭐️5/5 🌶️3.5/5
March 24, 2024
Gah, I LOVED this. It's got all the dark, ragged edges I'd expect of a Nash work, but since this is going to be a three-book series, there's still a lot to cover.
Francis is such an interesting character, seeming to be exactly who he is... up until he's not. I'm desperate for him to put (what I assume are) the clues together, but until then, he's got to deal with his growing feelings for Vitari and how impossible their relationship should be.
And Vitari... Yes, he's a bad guy, but he's willing to be softer for Francis, and that's what matters. It'd be nice if he could get a break at some point! :')
As far as dark romances go, I don't think this one is too dark (some of Nash's other works come to mind haha), but definitely read the CWs if you're worried about that. It's fast-paced and compelling and man oh man, I can't wait for book two!
Francis is such an interesting character, seeming to be exactly who he is... up until he's not. I'm desperate for him to put (what I assume are) the clues together, but until then, he's got to deal with his growing feelings for Vitari and how impossible their relationship should be.
And Vitari... Yes, he's a bad guy, but he's willing to be softer for Francis, and that's what matters. It'd be nice if he could get a break at some point! :')
As far as dark romances go, I don't think this one is too dark (some of Nash's other works come to mind haha), but definitely read the CWs if you're worried about that. It's fast-paced and compelling and man oh man, I can't wait for book two!
December 28, 2023
This long-awaited story has finally been written and I am beyond excited to say that it way surpassed all of my expectations.
The story itself is downright captivating and the characters are so darn hot.
The sexual tension between Francis and Angel was so incredibly done that it made even the slightest touch between them feel like a lightning strike.
It really pumped up the intimacy and took their connection to another level.
I cannot wait for the next part and I’m really glad that it’s not that far away... 💙🥰💙
The story itself is downright captivating and the characters are so darn hot.
The sexual tension between Francis and Angel was so incredibly done that it made even the slightest touch between them feel like a lightning strike.
It really pumped up the intimacy and took their connection to another level.
I cannot wait for the next part and I’m really glad that it’s not that far away... 💙🥰💙
December 16, 2023
If you want a dark read with a forbidden romance, this could be the book for you, this is the first book in the series about Father Francis Scott and Angel enforcer and son of a mafia boss, the story is action packed and the suspense will keep you on the edge of your seat the chemistry between Father Francis and Angel is sizzling in the background this book ends in a cliffhanger and I really can’t wait to read what comes next. Would definitely recommend great start to series but please check the trigger warnings as everyone is different.
January 15, 2024
That's yet another 5 stars from me. This book had the perfect vibes for me.
A full review is still forming in my head!
A full review is still forming in my head!
July 14, 2024
tortured lawful priest x murderous made man who was sent with a k!ll order. same childhood trauma, opposite moral principles as adults. MY BIGGEST HEAR ME OUT …..
he was dying here. he knew it, felt it. he tried to smile, to show francis it was going to be all right. he’d vowed to save him. all francis had to do now was run.
“kill me,” vitari groaned. “but let francis go. tell giancarlo the priest died too. end it.”
“you think you can kill me, huh?” luca laughed. “you goin’ to pull the trigger? a man of the cloth, a man of god? you’re not a murderer.”
he had that gun aimed true on luca’s chest.
“francis, don’t,” vitari gasped.
you couldn’t confess away murder. he was going to shoot, and he’d despise vitari for it forever.
“francis, put the gun down,” vitari begged.
he didn’t need to do this, not for vitari.
“a fucking priest is not going to shoot me.”
fuck, francis wasn’t even breathing hard now. he stared back at a man holding a gun on him, as cold as any killer vitari had known.
“don’t, not for me, please…” vitari begged. he tasted blood on his lips. “francis, not for me. please.”
“you’ll go to hell,” luca said.
“then i’ll see you there,” francis replied. and pulled the trigger.
LIKE SOME OF THE BEST ANGST I’VE EVER READ IN THIS SERIES…. their internal dialogues is tew good. so much near death moments! so much hurt/comfort! and they’re so protective of each other :(
(fyi the scene above is bits of the way longer scene)
he was dying here. he knew it, felt it. he tried to smile, to show francis it was going to be all right. he’d vowed to save him. all francis had to do now was run.
“kill me,” vitari groaned. “but let francis go. tell giancarlo the priest died too. end it.”
“you think you can kill me, huh?” luca laughed. “you goin’ to pull the trigger? a man of the cloth, a man of god? you’re not a murderer.”
he had that gun aimed true on luca’s chest.
“francis, don’t,” vitari gasped.
you couldn’t confess away murder. he was going to shoot, and he’d despise vitari for it forever.
“francis, put the gun down,” vitari begged.
he didn’t need to do this, not for vitari.
“a fucking priest is not going to shoot me.”
fuck, francis wasn’t even breathing hard now. he stared back at a man holding a gun on him, as cold as any killer vitari had known.
“don’t, not for me, please…” vitari begged. he tasted blood on his lips. “francis, not for me. please.”
“you’ll go to hell,” luca said.
“then i’ll see you there,” francis replied. and pulled the trigger.
LIKE SOME OF THE BEST ANGST I’VE EVER READ IN THIS SERIES…. their internal dialogues is tew good. so much near death moments! so much hurt/comfort! and they’re so protective of each other :(
(fyi the scene above is bits of the way longer scene)
December 24, 2023
This was my first Ariana Nash book and I loved every moment of it! I’m a big fan of MM romance and an even bigger fan of mafia romance, so an MM mafia romance is one of my favorite books to read. This book takes it a step further with a mafia/priest pairing. There are some sensitive issues in this book, so be sure to check out the author’s trigger warnings.
Father Francis Scott is struggling with his past and hiding something. Vitari, AKA, Angel is a mafia boss’s illegitimate son and a top enforcer. He’s deadly and dangerous. Their paths cross when more than one criminal syndicate go after Francis. There’s a lot of push and pull as Francis and Angel race to stay ahead of a rival syndicate and stay alive. Francis and Angel are *chef’s kiss* together, even when they can’t stand one another. (This is a great enemies to lovers romance). Once they come together though, it’s a work of art. They have such intense chemistry, it’s hard to deny. There’s plenty of action, angst, and steam in this book.
This book does end on what I would consider to be a cliffhanger. I am so glad that the second book in this series comes out soon (January 2024) because I can’t wait to see what Nash follows up with, and how/if the two MCs reach their HEA.
Father Francis Scott is struggling with his past and hiding something. Vitari, AKA, Angel is a mafia boss’s illegitimate son and a top enforcer. He’s deadly and dangerous. Their paths cross when more than one criminal syndicate go after Francis. There’s a lot of push and pull as Francis and Angel race to stay ahead of a rival syndicate and stay alive. Francis and Angel are *chef’s kiss* together, even when they can’t stand one another. (This is a great enemies to lovers romance). Once they come together though, it’s a work of art. They have such intense chemistry, it’s hard to deny. There’s plenty of action, angst, and steam in this book.
This book does end on what I would consider to be a cliffhanger. I am so glad that the second book in this series comes out soon (January 2024) because I can’t wait to see what Nash follows up with, and how/if the two MCs reach their HEA.
December 26, 2023
A Joyfully Jay review.
5 stars
Forgive Me is book 1 in a new series by A. Nash (aka Ariana Nash) and this book is on fire. Nash is known for her fantasy books and this contemporary hits exactly right. My best of 2023 list has already been published, but this book would have definitely been on it.
It’s interesting how these men come together. When Angel is sent to keep an eye on Francis, he has no idea what could be so interesting about one priest. Angel doesn’t have the best thoughts about priests and he had expectations about Francis, but nothing prepared him for what he found. Both men are in their early 20s, but they have both lived a lot of life.
The second book in this series will be released in January, so you have time to start here and be ready for book two. With action, intrigue, heat, and murder surrounding an unlikely pair catching feelings while winding through a layered story ready to unravel, Forgive Me should be your next read.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
5 stars
Forgive Me is book 1 in a new series by A. Nash (aka Ariana Nash) and this book is on fire. Nash is known for her fantasy books and this contemporary hits exactly right. My best of 2023 list has already been published, but this book would have definitely been on it.
It’s interesting how these men come together. When Angel is sent to keep an eye on Francis, he has no idea what could be so interesting about one priest. Angel doesn’t have the best thoughts about priests and he had expectations about Francis, but nothing prepared him for what he found. Both men are in their early 20s, but they have both lived a lot of life.
The second book in this series will be released in January, so you have time to start here and be ready for book two. With action, intrigue, heat, and murder surrounding an unlikely pair catching feelings while winding through a layered story ready to unravel, Forgive Me should be your next read.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
May 31, 2024
Me leí este libro en un día, solo no podía parar de leer, creo que es un libro que se disfruta y que enseguida entras en la historia, tenemos a un padre que trata de vivir una vida como marca la iglesia pero que su mundo se torna diferente cuando conoce a un mafioso que dice querer salvar su vida, es un libro de romance lleno de violencia, misterio y unas escenas spicy que me gustaron bastante.
Algo que me gustó es que la autora se toma el tiempo en crear a los personajes, y la relación de los dos protagonistas, no se siente forzado ni soso, creo que toda la relación se da de manera organica y da un gran inicio para esta trilogía porque me quedo con ganas de más.
Hay algunas cosas que me parecieron muy estereotipadas, hay un viaje por ahí a Venezuela y me pareció algo pobre la manera en que la autora manejo este escenario, pero creo que fuera de eso, disfruté esta historia.
Algo que me gustó es que la autora se toma el tiempo en crear a los personajes, y la relación de los dos protagonistas, no se siente forzado ni soso, creo que toda la relación se da de manera organica y da un gran inicio para esta trilogía porque me quedo con ganas de más.
Hay algunas cosas que me parecieron muy estereotipadas, hay un viaje por ahí a Venezuela y me pareció algo pobre la manera en que la autora manejo este escenario, pero creo que fuera de eso, disfruté esta historia.
January 18, 2024
Why. Why did this book rip my heart out and stomped on it? And there was NO fvcking reprieve. I know this trilogy will have a HEA but wtf! I needed a bit of happiness. Just a tiny little wee bit of it. How much more will my boys have to suffer? What kind of pain is this! And that's why I know the HEA will be perfect. Because it will be hard won.
The action was so good. The taboo aspect of their relationship was 🤌🏽🤌🏽. These characters have been dealt a shitty hand in life and are trapped by the choices that were taken from them and still the tried to make the best of their places. But when they collide, they see glimpses of another life, although it's not in reach yet. Not. Yet.
An now I have to wait.
The action was so good. The taboo aspect of their relationship was 🤌🏽🤌🏽. These characters have been dealt a shitty hand in life and are trapped by the choices that were taken from them and still the tried to make the best of their places. But when they collide, they see glimpses of another life, although it's not in reach yet. Not. Yet.
An now I have to wait.
December 3, 2023
Exceptional and Alluring
𝙷𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚌𝚔𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚐𝚞𝚗, 𝚕𝚘𝚊𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊 𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚖𝚋𝚎𝚛, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚟𝚘𝚠𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝙵𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚒𝚜’𝚜 𝙶𝚘𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙰𝚗𝚐𝚎𝚕 𝚘𝚏 𝙳𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚑 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚋𝚞𝚛𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚕𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚜𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚙𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚜𝚝.
I loved every part of this tempting book. The story and the whole plotting were so well constructed that it feels like an adventure you are part of.
There is this whole mystery which yet to be answered, there is suspense, and there is a definite amount of thriller that makes the reader excited.
Happy for now ending, I am desperately waiting for the next book Ruin Me.
𝙷𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚌𝚔𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚐𝚞𝚗, 𝚕𝚘𝚊𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊 𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚖𝚋𝚎𝚛, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚟𝚘𝚠𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝙵𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚒𝚜’𝚜 𝙶𝚘𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙰𝚗𝚐𝚎𝚕 𝚘𝚏 𝙳𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚑 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚋𝚞𝚛𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚕𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚜𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚙𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚜𝚝.
I loved every part of this tempting book. The story and the whole plotting were so well constructed that it feels like an adventure you are part of.
There is this whole mystery which yet to be answered, there is suspense, and there is a definite amount of thriller that makes the reader excited.
Happy for now ending, I am desperately waiting for the next book Ruin Me.
December 5, 2023
4.5
Forgive Me represents a change in theme for Ariana Nash. There are no elves, dragons, or scheming fae here. No, just bucket loads of corruption, violence, and possibly, worst of all, religion.
Father Francis is a new priest and one with secrets upon secrets. I'm not sure I've got him figured out. He hides behind his religion, using it as a shield.
"Angel" is probably more open. He's clear with his wants and needs. His pov was refreshing, and I instantly liked him.
The story kept me hooked. I can't wait for the second book
Forgive Me represents a change in theme for Ariana Nash. There are no elves, dragons, or scheming fae here. No, just bucket loads of corruption, violence, and possibly, worst of all, religion.
Father Francis is a new priest and one with secrets upon secrets. I'm not sure I've got him figured out. He hides behind his religion, using it as a shield.
"Angel" is probably more open. He's clear with his wants and needs. His pov was refreshing, and I instantly liked him.
The story kept me hooked. I can't wait for the second book
April 2, 2024
The tension, the angst, the plot, every single thing was top notch.
Yes, initially I was hesitant to read the forbidden romance between a Priest and a Mafia Man and the guilt Francis felt after every sexual encounter was about to start to get irritating when the story turned on its head. Hence the 5 stars not the 4 I should have given. Plus Vitara's character was done so well... His backstory. It was inexplicably sad and moving. Plus his thoughts wrt to Francis, the guy is in LOOOOVE....
Straightaway moving on to the next in the series
Yes, initially I was hesitant to read the forbidden romance between a Priest and a Mafia Man and the guilt Francis felt after every sexual encounter was about to start to get irritating when the story turned on its head. Hence the 5 stars not the 4 I should have given. Plus Vitara's character was done so well... His backstory. It was inexplicably sad and moving. Plus his thoughts wrt to Francis, the guy is in LOOOOVE....
Straightaway moving on to the next in the series
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