Saint

I thought I was ready for Saint by Sierra Simone, having read Priest, Tyler's story, and Sinner, Sean's story, but nothing can prepare you for Aiden's story. Aiden has fallen for his older brother Sean's best friend, Elijah Iverson. The five-year age gap seemed much bigger when they were younger, but once Aiden was in college, the age difference didn't matter. What did matter was how they felt about each other; Aiden thought Elijah was the be-all, his everything until IT happened. Now he can't have Elijah; he broke his heart five years ago; when Aiden chose GOD, Elijah is engaged to another man who gets all his smiles, whisky eyes, soft lips, and attention. This story is more than a Male/Male relationship; it takes the reader on a detailed description journey into life in the monastery. It brings to light mental illness, depression, anxiety, grief, life, death, suicide, and true love. It questions a life's purpose and what it means actually to listen with your heart, but also what's most important and meaningful. "No darkness lasts forever." I was not ready for this amazing tale, but it has touched me so deep within my soul that I can't wait for the next book in the series. Phenomenal work, highly recommended, a must-read! 2 likes

When is a monk, not a monk?? Saint is the third book in the ‘Priest’ series by Sierra Simone. It follows the three Bell brothers (Tyler) book#1Priest, (Sean) book#2 Sinner, and now Aiden in book#3. Aiden is the youngest and most troubled of the three brothers. His story is filled with angst and heartache as well as love and torment. This story is like a double-edged sword, cutting through secular and religious life with equal vigor. Aiden was once a wealthy, care-free millionaire but he gave it all up -and the love of his life- five years ago to become a monk. Now, he’s on the brink of taking his solemn vows when Elijah walks back into his life. Forced into spending time together, it’s not long before old feelings resurface and Aiden has to make a choice. Desire to be good for God or the man he once loved. But, it’s not as simple as all that, as Aiden has demons chasing him too, which have caused his mental illness. It’s a subject that’s hard to read about, but even more challenging to write. Sierra dealt with it with supreme kindness and understanding. There’s a whole lot more to the story than that, so much more. Beautiful scenes, gorgeous places and an epic love story unfolding through a three week European tour of monasteries.

Sometimes books surprise you. I must admit that this book did exactly that to me and in the very best way possible. Maybe you'll look at this book and think it will be steamy and emotional. And yeah, you'd be right. Or maybe you'll look at this book and think that maybe this would be a book that will push at your boundaries a bit or make you feel uncomfortable. And yeah, that is certainly a possibility. But what you might not expect from just looking at this book is that it is introspective and deep. While this book opens itself up to deliver all the angst, heat, feels and swoon that you are yearning for, it also lets you take a close-up look at its heart and soul and what you will find there is beautiful and poignant, painful and sweet and as simple as it is complex. Aiden and Elijah's second chance story is slow burning. Honestly, sometimes it feels almost excruciatingly so, but I also felt that this made sense with the story being told. It is a journey and a struggle with no easy answers or instantaneous solutions and I am so incredibly grateful that I was privileged enough to go on it with them. This is my independent, impartial review.