Reed Matthews lives a quiet and structured life in the small town of Edgewood. Going on his sixth year as the principal of a Catholic high school, Reed thrives on routine, but one unplanned excursion for Chinese takeout is enough to send his meticulously-constructed world into a tailspin.After growing up in foster care, Dominic O’Halloran decided to enter seminary in his early twenties, and he’s … twenties, and he’s dedicated his adult life to creating space for the LGBT community. Weeks after answering the call from St. Paul’s and moving to Edgewood, Dominic finds himself face-to-face with the one person he’s never been able to leave in the past–his childhood best friend.
Dominic and Reed find themselves entangled in decades old unresolved feelings and a complicated, new emotions. Reed is terrified of losing his soul, and Dominic is worried about losing his heart. But all it takes is one make-believe kiss for them to realize they’d throw everything away for another chance at happiness.
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This was really great, I loved the characters and I thought that the story was very unique. I really enjoyed it. I listened the audiobook and the narrator was brilliant!
4.5 stars Narrated by Christopher Rourke
A beautiful narrate for this story for the characters. Although their voices weren’t different I enjoyed the book.
A great start as the two characters re-meet after not seeing each other since there foster care days.
Dominic had always been in love with Reed, now being grown up their situation had changed. Dominic aka Nick hadn’t been taken into a foster home where as Reed had. Reed’s life was with the church and fought his feelings for men until Nick comes back into his life.
I loved the angst with both of them for these reasons. A betrayal comes up in the storyline that rocks there world, and time for lasting words to fix runs out.
Forgive me Father for I have sinned but dam you have some hot hot sexy scenes. Nick has whickered sexy moves install for Reed as alpha personality in the bedroom.
Includes betrayal, sexy times, a strong connection, homophobic church members, virgin, and angst for a happy for ending.
I really really liked this book written by the author.
Principal Reed has some decisions to make regarding a few things but one is taken out of his hands.
Father Dominic yearns for someone who doesn’t know what he wants, and tries to protect his heart.
Will religion tear them apart? (an audio review)
Reed and Dominic were in foster care together. They were as close as brothers could be and their worlds were torn apart when Reed was adopted. Dominic never heard from him again.
Years later, Reed is the principal of a Catholic School. He lives a solitary life, pushing down his homosexual urges. Image is everything, and the church is very clear on its teachings. Being gay is a mortal sin. Then one day he encounters Dominic in a local fast-food joint and he’s stunned. He’s never forgotten his foster brother, but he also never expected to see him again. Especially in this town far from where they’d met.
Dominic is a priest, although not in the Catholic church. He is a respected member of his community – a leader in his congregation. He is also shocked to see Reed, although there is some resentment there. When Reed was adopted, he disappeared and Nic never heard from him again. He was hurt. Really hurt. Only later in the book is it revealed what happened behind the scenes.
The two men are attracted to each other and while one is free to pursue the relationship, the other is forbidden. Well, perhaps forbidden is too strong a word. But Reed knows he’ll lose his job. A job that means everything to him. Or so he’s always believed. As he struggles with his attraction, Nic feels like he’s being taken advantage of. Reed wants all the benefits of a secret relationship (read: sex – a lot of sex) but wants none of the responsibility. Nic has no interest in being in the closet. He’s out and wants his parishioners to know it’s okay to be gay. He encourages the kids to start an LGBT group and is pleasantly surprised when Reed sends a young woman his way for spiritual guidance. The young woman believes she’s gay, and there’s no place for her in Reed’s world.
Yet as many problems that plague the relationship, neither man can let go. As Reed says to Nic, “I just want to be allowed to love you.” Basically a plea for understanding. When the two get some time alone, it’s clear they were meant to be together. But then they return to Edgewood and it looks like their relationship will be on the down low again. I might have despaired a bit. But this is a romance, thank goodness. This book struck a chord with me – two men who just want to be allowed to love each other. I struggle to tolerate churches where flock members are rejected because of who they are. Needless to say, I was interested in how this book was going to find a happy resolution.
I’m intrigued about where this series is going, and will eagerly anticipate the next book. Finally I have to mention Christopher Rourke. He’s a new-to-me narrator and I have to say I enjoyed his performance. I hope he narrates any subsequent books in the series.
Reed headmaster at a Catholic school. Once a Foster kud with his best friend Dominic. They haven’t seen each other for a couple of decades.
Present day Dominic a Priest but not Catholic, met Reed again and his feeling surface again.
I have to say I was slightly bored by this book. It was long winded and then you didn’t get a HEA.
I did listen to it all and the narration was good. Not sure if it all comes together more in book 2. I will have to find out.
A Taste of Sin
Secrets in Edgewood, Book 1
By: Kate Hawthorne
Narrated by: Christopher Rourke
Series: Secrets in Edgewood, Book 1
Length: 7 hrs and 12 mins
Overall
Narration
Story
Read at 1.05 speed on Audible
This was the first book in the Secrets of Edgewood series and it was a mixture of angst and hope with an intense romance. Reed struggles with his Catholic faith and his attraction and love for Dominic. Dominic struggles with how he and Reed were torn apart when they were teenagers. Both men have their emotional and spiritual issues that were painful to watch, but the author never lets us lose hope for the main characters. I liked watching how each man confronted their pain and moved forward towards love and happiness. Along with the emotional journey, there was some amazing and really hot sex scenes that incorporated some D/s and other kinky elements. I thought this book was well written and really touching.
The audiobook was narrated by Christopher Rourke who did a great job. He had a wonderful performance and voiced all the characters perfectly. I had no trouble following along with the story. The audiobook production was well done and really enjoyable.
I was given a free audio verion by the author and the GRR arc team for review.
Story 4 stars
I really enjoyed this story. It’s a slow burn with lots of push and pull for the first half while Reed comes to terms with his feelings for his ex foster brother who he runs into again. Feelings that conflicts with his work as a Catholic principal. He never became an actual priest, believing one day he would marry. He is however still single and still a virgin waiting for marriage and very Catholic. Dominic on the other hand is also a Religious leader but one that is out and helps gay teens and helps Reed realize he shouldn’t have to choose.
This was a beautifully, heartfelt story of second chance love and love that is meant to be that endures all. I loved the 2 main characters. They had great chemisty and were both well developed and likeable. Very well written. Also, it had high level heat with elements of d/s, dirty talk and mild bdsm.
I’m not religious what so ever and don’t like when a book is too in your face verse preaching and this wasn’t like that all. So don’t let the topic scare u off. I would definitely recommend this book.
Note: I’ll also add I read over some reviews before I read this and it seems as though a lot of them referenced a short incomplete version. This book is definitely complete. Also, some reviews that were posted for this book referenced a different couple entirely so I think there’s some mix up there. So don’t let that discourage u from reading it. It’s a great read.
Reading 4 stars
The narrators voice was pleasant and he read at a pleasant pace. He used slight voice differences for the 2 MCs but not overly distinctive but easy enough to follow if you’re paying attention. The higher tone for the female side characters were obvious though which was nice.
This is only the second book I’ve read by Kate Hawthorne and I’m loving her style. Don’t shy away from this one just because of its religious theme, that part takes the back seat to the development of the characters and their relationship. It’s all done quite beautifully.
There are several gorgeous quotes in A Taste of Sin, here’s my favorite
“Consent isn’t stopping when you’re told no. It’s not starting unless you’re told yes.”
Wonderful story!
So well written. Loved it.
I really enjoyed this book
Dominic and Reed are foster brothers and best friends who are beginning to feel new emotions for each other, when Reed is adopted and moved away. Reed becomes a devout Catholic and takes a job as a principal at his church’s school. Dominic remains with his foster parents and grows up to become a priest in the Episcopal faith. When the two end up in the same town, they realize that their feelings for each other are still present and stronger than ever, but they each look at this differently. Nic believes that God made them the way they are, and He would never condemn their love; but Reed believes that acting on their feelings would be a sin that would see them burn in Hell.
This story is painful and angsty, as Nic tries to protect himself but can’t deny Reed for long. Reed, meanwhile, tries to reconcile his feelings with his religious beliefs, to figure out how to be happy and faithful at the same time.
The characters are very well written here, and the sex scenes are incredibly hot. The story is engrossing and heartbreaking, and readers should definitely keep tissues close by.
As I read this, my heart hurt for Reed, but I also had several moments of wanting him to just leave Dominic alone. Nic had loved Reed for almost his entire life, and he was hurt over and over by Reed’s indecision. I was both happy and emotionally drained by the time I reached the ending. This is a wonderful book by an author who always makes me think. I highly recommend this book!
Dominic & Reed get a second chance, but it’s twenty years late and very unexpected.
Reed has built a safe, straight laced life that’s full of predictable respectability as a devout Catholic. Dominic is just as dedicated to his Episcopal faith but has made sure his choices wouldn’t hold him back.
This book is full of angst… no, turmoil is a word that works better I think. But it’s also very sweet and these men have something beautiful together. Dominic wasn’t really looking for something, but he was always hopeful for a chance with the one he lost and only fears for his heart. Reed although desperate for this connection, fears the judgement of others and the fate of his soul. It was hard to read at times, wading through all the emotion and doubt. Anyone who has struggled to reconcile the differences of their identity and faith or how they were raised will really relate to this one. I can see how this one tested Hawthorn but in the end it is wonderfully written. Lovely, heart wrenching launch to a new series. I can’t wait to discover more of the secrets in Edgewood.
A Taste of Sin is the first book in Kate Hawthorne’s Secrets in Edgewood series and it is Amazing, hot and had me feeling feels.
Reed and Dominic are such great characters and I love the connection they share is something worth losing it all for. I loved every minute of their story.
I received an advanced reader’s copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation.