One of Entertainment Weekly’s Top Ten Romances of 2018! I’m not a good man, and I’ve never pretended to be. I don’t believe in goodness or God or any happy ending that isn’t paid for in advance.What do I believe in? Money. Sex. Macallan 18.They have words for men like me–playboy. Womanizer. Skirt chaser.My brother used to be a priest, and he only has one word for me.Sinner.Sinner is a standalone … and he only has one word for me.
Sinner.
Sinner is a standalone companion to Priest about Father Bell’s brother Sean. You do not have to read Priest or Midnight Mass to read Sinner more
Every emotion you can imagine. Love, loss, heartbreak, dying and transitions. Finding out who we are meant to be and where are meant to be. How to come to terms with the good and bad of life and make the peace with it. A beautiful, emotional, and intelligent read.
Okay, seriously…I don’t generally love the super sexy stuff. I like it, but it’s not my go-to. But this. THIS. Sierra Simone is a poet who happens to write scorchingly sexy taboo romance with characters that make you want to track them down and tuck them in and rub their little heads until they sleep. Her words are more literary than most other romance writers, and most folks WILL need a dictionary at least once. But this book (and the other two in the series… and the American Queen series…) is fabulous.
What in the hell am I supposed to do with my life now? I’m ruined…
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of the book.
Oh this book! From word one I was hooked, but as I went on (obsessively – I COULD NOT PUT THE BOOK DOWN!!!) I found myself wishing that Sierra Simone was the curator of my thoughts. I need her to be my inner monologue because the way that she expresses thoughts and uses the art of WORDS is absolutely magical. I don’t think I’ve been compelled to update my Goodreads status as many times as I did while reading this book. There were SO MANY incidents where I had to externalize my reactions to the book (the awareness of the importance of a satin pillowcase has never been more meaningful to me). Sean hit me like a ton of bricks with his confidence and swag, but mostly with his willingness to accept his feelings and run with it (and his utterly eloquent fury when someone came at his woman sideways). And Zenny. My favorite book heroine HANDS DOWN. She was so intelligent and aware and vulnerable and bold and just EVERYTHING that I want to be and all the good things that I see in my daughters. Their banter, their interactions, the way that they grew together and changed each other in such a short amount of time was cataclysmically awesome. Once again, in the midst of reading the book, I had to stop to order the paperback because I had to have this book on my shelf. I have to be able to hold it and feel it and absorb it in that oh so visceral way. This will be a book that I reread into perpetuity. Plus I NEEDED to give the author my money. The way Sierra Simone handled racism, white privilege, religion, faith, grief, loss, and so much more was utterly amazing. Sinner gets all of the stars in the known galaxy and those far beyond.
Sinner is so much more than the story on the page. There are layers of meaning between every word and scene. It is a journey, a ride that author Sierra Simone steers. On the surface Sinner is sexy as hell, and that is all good too!
“There’s nothing between us. Nothing at all, except for God and broken promises and two grasping, reaching hearts.”
The writing is beautiful and intelligent, the characters are deep, real even in all their flaws and larger than the page.
“I can’t crack her faith the way her love cracks me. I can’t carve away her connection with God the same way she’s carved a gap into my heart that she refuses to fill.”
Sinner is EVERYTHING! It is just SO beautiful, deep & thought provoking, AND SO HOT!! And it just broke my heart!! I seriously bawled my eyes out! I had to stop reading because I couldn’t see the page!!
4.5 stars
WOW. Sierra Simone’s Sinner is sure to melt your kindle. This book was just as hot and sexy as Priest, but tells the oldest Bell brother, Sean’s, story. It is equal parts age gap taboo and best friend’s little sister romance. Though this is book 2 in the series, it’s not necessary to read Priest first. Some characters do appear in both, however, and readers who are familiar with Priest will have greater insight into Sean’s past.
This was an emotionally complicated book. We follow the journey of Sean Bell, as he discovers (and re-discovers) himself and his faith. Told entirely in Sean’s POV, we are privy to all his deepest thoughts, fears, and desires. Events in Sean’s history and his role in his family have shaped him into the guarded man he is today. When our heroine, Zenny, comes crashing into his life, her faith, goodness, and innocence both attract and repel him. Both embark on their own sort of spiritual journeys that reshape their views and also test their convictions.
Though Sean has known Zenny his whole life, he is not prepared for the woman she has become. She may be 15 years younger than him (21 years old to his 36), but there is something in her soul that resonates with his and they are drawn together like 2 magnets. Their attraction and chemistry is immediate and readers are treated to an incredibly sensual and delicious build-up as they discover themselves and each other. Seriously, it’s like an orgasmic buffet. At times it almost seemed like too much, but I felt it was necessary to show how much our characters come to grow and trust each other as well as how their relationship shifts from something purely physical to so much more than either anticipated.
The book isn’t all about Sean and Zenny though. It also shows the Bell family as they come to terms with more heartache and the sibling dynamic/shift in familial roles. Sean’s relationship with his mother was so touching and moving. He willingly shouldered so much in an effort to do anything and everything he could to help her. It was heartbreaking and beautiful. It reminded me of the Death Cab for Cutie song “What Sarah Said”:
Cause there’s no comfort in the waiting room
Just nervous paces bracing for bad news
And then the nurse comes round
And everyone lifts their head
But I’m thinking of what Sarah said
That love is watching someone die
So who’s gonna watch you die
This is not your conventional romance. It’s dark and raw at times, but also uplifting and will have you questioning yourself and perhaps your faith (or lack of). Thank you Sierra for this thought provoking (and nuclear hot) book!
*I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book*
With the teasers I saw posted up to the release of Sinner, I knew it would be hot and deliciously filthy. I did not know it would make me think and feel so deeply. Sierra Simone has a way of giving you the smuttiness you crave, while perfectly mixing it with questions about religion you’ve never thought to ask sprinkled with touches of beautiful family dynamics. And oh, Sean Bell……..I never thought I’d love a Bell more than I love Tyler, but he’s been replaced by Sean who’s so self-assured yet broken, you won’t help but fall in love with him. Zenny….I WISH I’d had her knowledge and confidence at that age. I devoured this book – it will eventually make it to my reread shelf, probably multiple times. LOVED it.
Sean Bell, brother of former Father Tyler Bell, Ryan, Aiden and long gone but not forgotten Lizzie, friend of Elijah, son of a dying mother, successful real estate mogul, and serial one night stander.
Sean is a love ‘em hard and leave ‘em smiling and spent kind of guy. Never, not ever has he spent more than one night with a woman. Never cared to. But then he meets her standing alone, a beautiful red gown just begging to be liberated from her bronze body, sayin “kiss me” with those pouty bite-able lips and he’s a goner. But she’s so young and has family obligations that pull him back to reality before the night ends.
21 year old Zenny, Zenobia Iverson, is on the cusp of promising herself to Christ. Changing her name, living a life of service and celibacy. With just one month to go, she’s looking to shed all of the doubt so she can move into her new life freely without regret. The one thing left to do is experience a man. But not just any man, a man who will test her faith and her choices. A man who will show her what she will be missing once she takes those vows. A man who will hold her then leave her when it’s time to go. That man is her brother Elijah’s best friend, Sean Bell.
Sexy Sean and innocent Zenny’s worlds meet when his company receives some bad press for buying and repurposing the building that holds the soup kitchen where she works. He tries to stay away from her but the pull is much stronger than his self imposed one night stand rule and his promise to his best friend to watch over his little sister. And when she proposes a one month test of her faith, there’s no way he could refuse.
Sean and Zenny’s heat burn the pages up! His experience and her youth and innocence set the table for some of the hottest scenes this author has ever written. And we know she can write some hotness.
A fairly quick read with a great back story, lots of angsty heat and a HEA makes this 2nd book in the series a must read. I can’t wait to read the rest of the Bell boys books!
You don’t need to pray if a Sierra Simone book is going to hit all the right buttons because it’s a given and Sinner is right on the money. We meet Sean Bell the oldest of the Bell Brothers and we meet Zenny who is the sister of a family friend. He is 36 and she is 21. They meet socially and he doesn’t recognise her and that’s where their story begins. There is an instant attraction between them but the ‘dance’ of love doesn’t happen. It’s not to be or is it? Sean meets the elusive ‘Mary’ and discovers the young woman he nearly did the dirty with is training to be a nun and his best friends sister. She wants to experience all aspects of ‘life’ before taking her vows and thinks he is just the guy to give her that experience and teach her how to ‘dance’. No falling in love just ‘dancing’ but we all know that’s never the way things happen and can these two stop themselves falling for each other? I really enjoy their story it was funny and sad and dirty….the Holy Trinity. I loved meeting the Bell family and found myself a little teary when reading about his mum. I didn’t have a problem with their age gap or references to Zenny’s race. It all came together and made for a very enjoyable read. It was written beautiful and researched from a religious point of view. He was certainly dirty enough for me. Would I recommend it? Yes, I would.
I love books that are thought-provoking and Sinner is definitely one of them.
Sean Bell is as complicated as they come (men, that is). He may think that his life has been sorted out; that he’s handling everything but life has its own plans. As the oldest sibling, he is used to authority and decision-making but nothing can prepare him for Zenny, his friend’s little sister whom he meets after a prolonged absence. Her naivety refreshes his soul, something he didn’t think he had.
As complex as Sean is, he is also fiercely loyal and protective. His internal battles with his non-belief in religion and God are brought front and centre when he gets to know Zenny again. His character development is smoothly done. As Sinner is told in Sean’s POV, you will know his feelings, his depraved thoughts. But more importantly, you are in this ride with Sean, this journey where he discovers himself again and what a journey it is.
Sinner goes beyond love or religion, it will permeate your thoughts and emotions long after the epilogue. Are you ready for Sean?
I mean Sean!
He just is everything you should not like but can’t resist.
I’m going straight to hell and it’s because Sean Bell lured me there.
And I am totally fine with it.
This book is insanely hot! Be ready for it.
I mean by the end of the first Chapter I was sweating like a sinner in church.
You will need to go to confession.
I thought his brothers Tyler & Adien were naughty, but Sean topped them both for me.
His raw power with Zenny had me clenching my legs the whole time I was reading. And the surprises that Sean whipped out I never saw them coming.
Zenny & Sean were just everything.
Powerful, sexy , exciting Must Read book!
5 popped!
Gahhh! I have to be honest with you all, I have heard such great things about Sierra and I even have American Queen on my Kindle, waiting to be read, and I have not yet!! This is the first book I have read by this fabulous author and I will definitely be going back for more!
I haven’t read Priest or Midnight Mass, but it’s OK! She says it’s a stand alone and going in fresh I can say it totally is!
This story of Sean & Zenobia (Zenny & for a hot minute, Mary) is magnificent.
The magical way that Sierra weaves theology, love & sex is so fresh and just wow! You can feel the guilt and the passion in the way that Sean deals with his beliefs. You embrace Zenny’s innocence and applaud her faith, her maturity and her strength. The trust that she has in Sean is beautiful.
I laughed at some parts and ugly cried at others! You get all the feels from this story. All. The. Feels! I love how this story made me take a look at my own beliefs and truths and see that it’s OK to feel that way! Like Sean, you can struggle and rage and also love and feel comfort.
Finally, I really liked the POV of this story, it made it more realistic for me. Thank you for your words Sierra! You have a new fan (stalker… 🙂 it’s relative). For the readers of this, get this book, get ALL of her books, I have a feeling they are just a phenomenal as Sinner!
Yes…. Oh My God, yes!
Sinner has got to be one of the hottest books I’ve ever read. It’s like change your panties multiple times hot. Sean is everything… absolutely everything. I am totally in love and in awe. He battles his faith as well as life.
I loved the way Zenny was written, for such a young woman she is very wise and I love that she isn’t immature and grabs hold of her love of learning. Of course you can guess by the name and what series this is a part of that it has faith and religion in it but also it’s truly emotional.
It’s so much more than just a hot taboo read. My heart was yanked out, played with and shoved back in. This is a fantastic book and one you definitely will want to read.
Loved everything about it was surprised by how it turned out. great read all the way though
Sierra Simone is one of those few authors that I read automatically. I know that everything she writes is going to be amazing, and it doesn’t matter if I know what the book is about beforehand or not. I generally know what to expect from her, even though all her books aren’t the same when it comes to subject matter.
That said, she absolutely blew me away with Sinner. Her words are poetry, even when she isn’t writing poetry. Sinner was beautiful and heartwrenching and EVERYTHING. I normally hate crying when I read, but I swear I sobbed and ugly cried for a good hour, and was grateful for it.
I absolutely adore her and this book. I cannot WAIT to see what’s next from her. If you haven’t read Sierra, first, WHY NOT?! And second, don’t start with Sinner, but read her asap.
Sierra Simone has written one of the most sinful, dirty, seductive, erotic and intoxicating romance in her latest release, Sinner. Forgive me father, for I have sinned and have become addicted to Sierra Simone.
Simone takes sinning to a whole new level as she dangerously lures readers to fall in love with a playboy hero in Sean Bell. Sean is a womanizer and doesn’t care for relationships. Sex. Money. Macallan 18. Yeah, those three things are the only three things he cares about that is until when he sees his best friend’s little sister, Zenobia Iverson, who plans to be a nun.
Zenny and Sean’s relationship was thought-provoking, intense, palpable, and deeply erotic. The themes of sex and God were sensitively and portrayed in a manner that left readers see the progression of two characters drawn to each other as they explore major life decisions and realizations. So if you are looking for a book that was very well written and left you in awe with Simone’s ability to hold you hostage then I highly recommend you to read Sinner. A must read if you are a fan of erotic forbidden and thought-provoking romance!!!
I was given this ARC of Sinner in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you.
If I could have I would have given this book Ten stars!
Sean Bell says he is a sinner. “I’m not Mr Brooding Romance”, like my brother Tyler, “I’m not Mr. Impulsive”, like my brother Aiden.
Yet, he is reluctant, hesitant, and very persistent when his best friend Elijah’s sister Zenny asks him for a month of sex, so she can decide if she is making the right decision on the life choice she has decided to pursue.
He says he is a playboy, a womanizer, a skirt chaser. Yet he is the one who continues to say NO, till she finally breaks him down.
He even has her move in with him and continues to evade taking her, yah he explores, yah they sleep in the same bed, but when it comes to doing the act he keeps her waiting till time starts to run out.
He is the one who falls madly, passionately, unconditionally in love , while Zenny angrily walks away.
I think he has his self mixed up with his brothers, he is Mr. Romance, he definitely broods and haven’t read about any man being as Impulsive as Sean Bell.
I definitely have to say this book tops Priest and Midnight Mass, not by much but it’s at the top of my favorites list for 2018. This is definitely a must read.
I have to say I wasn’t sure if this would be as dirty and good a the preist was but boy was I wrong!!! The Chemistry between Sean and Zenny was hot.
Zenny has one month before she takes her vows and in that one month she wants to know what it’s like to experience all the things there is to feel with a man and she’s set on doing those things with Sean.
Will Sean and Zenny fall in love, will she give up becoming a nun for Sean?
Another deliciously make your panties wet, and squirm in your seat book! I can’t wait to see what’s next!!!
When a tragic event turns you away from the God that you so loved growing up what do you do? To overcome his grief Sean tries to control his world by being successful in his job so much so that he gives up so much of what is truly important in life other than his immediate family. The realization of this comes in a small unexpected package. A beautiful women named Zenny. Sean has known her his whole life but hasn’t laid eyes on her in years. When she asks for his help for just a month neither realizes how this will change both of their lives!
As always with Sierra Simone books, Sinner is filled with amazing characters, hot, steamy sex and a well written story!
Finding all the words I want to use to describe this book has been difficult. I’ve sat on my thoughts and I find that I really can’t do the story justice in this review. If you’ve read Priest (and Midnight Mass) you know the Bell family. This is Sean’s story. Sean is jaded for lack of a better word. The entire Bell family went through a traumatic event so powerful that it caused most of them all to stray away from their religion, except for Tyler who tried to embrace it in order to make a difference. Sean is perhaps the most jaded of them all and also carries his own guilt about things that happened. That guilt drives him to make as much money as he can and to be the caretaker of his family, no matter what he has to do. He calls himself a sinner and while he may not necessarily be proud of it, he is who he is with no apologies. Love will never be in the cards for him.
Until……he meets his match…in a very unlikely person and place. She will open his mind and his heart to the beauty of life, of love and yes…of God. I personally lost my religion a long time ago. While not completely religious, I still believe in a higher power. Sierra Simone crafts a story so rich in history and religious ideology from a wholly different perspective than that of Priest and somehow, has me chomping at the bit to read some of her recommended reading on the subject. You tend to forget how beautiful religion CAN be when all you can see around you are those that push their own religious agenda while raining judgement down on you.
My heart broke a few different times although I’ll not tell why because this is definitely one of those stories that you have to read, live, breathe and feel all on your own. And can I get a huge Amen on the steam that Sierra is well known for. Not an ounce of that was forsaken for our beautiful education.
Sierra Simone has a way of making everything wrong and yet so right. In a book where most people (myself included) are reading it for the unashamed naughtiness, she manages to make me and Sean see the light.
I connected so well with Sean’s anger. I think anyone who has felt forsaken or let down by God can. It’s amazing how Sierra manages to take a deliciously naughty book about self discovery and at the same time show others that it’s okay to be angry with God.
It almost sounds like I’m batshit crazy…(if the shoe fits) but Sierra has managed to strengthen a frayed bond. I think the best part is she used a filthy talking, arrogant preening Sean Bell to do it.
I have long since considered the Bells friends- I mean after all I went through with Tyler and Poppy… So to see Sean and the Bells was like coming home. This trip home isn’t without heartache, love, or terrible choices. Make sure that you’ve packed your tissues and comfort food before you take this trip home.
Reviewed for Sweet Spot Sisterhood