A Taste of Sin

Secrets in Edgewood, Book 1

By: Kate Hawthorne

Narrated by: Christopher Rourke

I didn’t think I’d ever see you again.

Reed’s days are full of unexpected surprises - pretty par for the course as the principal of the only Catholic school in a small town, but there’s one surprise he wasn’t prepared for, and that was Dominic O’Halloran.

God help me, I want you.

Dominic has spent decades thinking about the life he could have lived. What if he’d not been an orphan? What if he’d been adopted? What if his best friend Reed hadn’t been torn out of his life when they were teens? But as an adult, he’s focused on the things he can control - his faith, his calling, and his pride.

If you still want me, then I’ll have you.

Finally together after a lifetime apart, Dominic and Reed find themselves in a state of emotional upheaval, complicated by the rules of their religions. Reed is terrified of losing his soul, and Dominic, his heart, but neither of them are willing to give up on the second chance they’ve been given without first enjoying a taste of sin.

Forgive me, Father; it appears I’ve sinned.

©2019 Kate Hawthorne (P)2020 Kate Hawthorne

I expected more

I did expect more, this turned out to me a bit predictable and bland for me.

Interesting contrasts

I find the inner torment brought on by religion upseting and worrying. Reed's battle is such a sad story, all the more so because it's shared by so many people brought up in conservative religion. On the other hand, Reed and Dominic share some delightfully kinky sex with impressive abandon. I cried a few times over this book, but I smiled a lot too. Well worth a listen!

Taste of Sin Review

This is the first story in Secrets of Edgewood, and it's worth the read. Nic and Reid fit together so perfectly. While the narrator painted a beautiful picture and gave these characters life. I loved listening to his voice and the way he made the characters into different people. Some parts made me a little frustrated with Nic because Reid was new to all of this and fighting with himself vs. what people have told him all his life that it's wrong to love someone of the same sex. Nonetheless, I think they are perfect together when all else fails, they have each other to cling to.

Nic & Reed

This is one of my favorite books by this author, so when I saw this was going to audio I knew it was going to be a must listen. In fact I loved Nic and Reed so much, I re-read their story when it was expanded recently. It wasn’t a hardship to go for a third read/listen with the narration. Christopher Rourke really nailed Nic and Reed for me! He did an amazing job pulling me into a story I was already familiar with, and making it somehow feel fresh and new. I enjoyed his voices for both characters and I admit I found myself blushing a bit! Christopher made me fall in love with Nic and Reed all over again. He really drew me into the wonderful angst of their story and sucked me right back into their world. Nic and Reed were childhood friends who find their way back into each others lives unexpectedly. The sexual tension that ensues between them was off the charts hot. The chemistry and push and pull between Nic and Reed just kept me hooked. I found myself both wanting to race to the end of the story, and also never wanting it to end! Reed’s struggle with his faith and reconciling that to the feelings he’s always had for Nic was very present. Their story really hit a lot of emotional peaks for me, and remains a favorite I know I’ll come back to listen to again.

Heartfelt 2nd chance love story

I was given a free audio verion by the author and the GRR arc team for review.

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.

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.