A Taste of Sin

Secrets in Edgewood, Book 1

By: Kate Hawthorne

Narrated by: Christopher Rourke

Length: 7 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's Summary

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.

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.

Good

Awesome narration, greatly read and very enjoyable and entertaining story... I can’t wait to own the book and get lost in the story again...

Excellent!

Wow, I thought I had enjoyed this book before in ebook format but Christopher Rourke did a stellar job at bringing these characters to life! Do yourself a favor and give this one a listen, you won't be disappointed!

A Taste of Sin

Good story, typical narration, may not be for everyone. I did find it dragged a bit for me but that might just be my mood.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from Gay Romance Reviews and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Fantastic!!

Reed and Nic were childhood friends in foster care. When Reed is adopted they lose touch with each other. They run into each other twenty years later. They reconnect but Reed has a hard time dealing with the feelings he has for Nic. This was sooo freaking good!! The feelings and emotions are palpable! Christopher Rourke did a fantastic job with the narration!

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!

A little bit of happiness

A story of two men who learn to find their own little bit of happiness no matter what the world looks like or what the world around them has thought them to believe.
Reed is a man who is living his life in a certain way and when Nic comes back into his life he starts to discover his true self for the first time.

The first in a new series from this author and this is an engaging story to listen to with its well developed characters and smooth flowing storyline.
The narrarion was fluent and each character easily discernible.

Can't wait for the next

Great start to a new series. OMG I love this so much! Unique, brilliant and intriguing. Rourke brings Dominic and Reed to life; they are a complex couple that has a second chance to get it right if they can overcome their insecurities and fears. Their chemistry is hot and this is a heartwarming (and sometimes heartbreaking story) I was addicted to from beginning to end. Each chapter flowed into the next smoothly and I will definitely be looking for more from Rourke.

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.

great!

This was really great, I loved the characters and I thought that the story was very unique. I really enjoyed it. And the narrator was brilliant!

Hot, Angsty Goodness

Life is messy, confusing, and can’t always be wrapped up with a beautiful bow. This sums up this story. If you’re looking for a sugary sweet, ‘happy ever after’ love story, this is not you. If you’ve read any of the reviews that this doesn’t have a pretty HEA, but it does have a satisfying ending. Personally, given the amount of personal growth that Reed goes through, I feel it would be disingenuous to the storyline. Their journey to love isn’t an easy one, it isn’t smooth sailing. Reed has buried his sexuality underneath a rigorous set of religious beliefs that says it’s wrong. There’s no gray area in Catholic faith; homosexuality is a sin. It is because of this that Reed goes back and forth so much. My heart broke for both of them. Dominic’s heart took a beating in this book, but it is a strong heart. He is an incredible human being, and the kind that makes me want to give the world to. 💔

This story was beautifully written, with well developed characters. I’ve been dying to read something by Kate Hawthorne. I own several, but we all know how TBR lists can be. This book did not disappoint, not at all. In fact, now I need more. 🔥

This is the first book I’ve listened to, that’s narrated by Christopher Rourke. I was impressed, there wasn’t a lot of difference between characters, but enough to know the difference, if that makes sense. People can have similar voices, but it’s their personality, and uniqueness, that gives them a differing quality. He portrayed them very well, putting emotion behind his words. He brought this story to life, and I’m hoping to hear more from him in the future. ❤️

Will religion tear them apart?

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.

Good second chances romance...

Nic and Reed were foster kids at the same home, until Reed was adopted. Now, 20 years later, a surprise encounter makes the feelings they had for each other when they were 14 and 13 years old surface yet again and blossom. But Reed is not out, matter of fact, he barely acknowledges that he might be gay. And even if he admitted it, there's the small fact that his work as a principal at a Catholic school might be threatened if his boss learns of their involvement.

I liked Nic and Reed, although their relationship felt a tad forced and I wanted to slap some sense into them a few times. Still, they had chemistry and were hot together.

I would've liked the book more, if there had been more than a HFN in the end. Anyway, it was a good, solid, angsty and hot read that I have no trouble recommending.

Christopher Rourke did a good job with the narration. There were some parts that felt a tad flat, but overall, it was an enjoyable performance.

Reconnected

Reed and Dominic had been best friends whilst they were in Foster care but had lost touch for twenty years when Reed had been adopted. Alot of things have changed in those twenty years...but not their feelings for each other!
fantastic story with lots of twists within it.
Christopher Rourkes narration was great and extremely easy to listen to and I could feel the emotions through his voice.

Okay

When I first read this book, the angst in it almost killed me. The second time around was much of the same. Nic and Reed are so good together but they had so many feel between the two of them before they just exploded. It's my favorite of the Secrets in Edgewood series for a reason. The UST between them in the beginning is just killer.
While I like this narrator, I just didn't feel him as the characters in this book. I don't know. There was just something missing when I was listening. I know how the book made me feel when I read it and listening was just so...different. It was good, don't get me wrong, but it just wasn't what I imagined for them.

Fantastic

A great start to the series by Kate Hawthorne. Loved Reed & Dominic, was fantastic to follow their journey. Christopher Rourke was super with the narration. Hope there are many more in the series.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

Not what I hoped for, but it was likeable

I loved reading this book, because it's a second chance, friends to lovers, priest love story, and written by Kate - so what not to love, yes?
I was really excited about the audio, especially since Kate was hyping it real good - but the narrator/voices was not for me this time. I had a bit of trouble liking this voice back in A Thousand Lifetimes too, but this time was worse. It was flat and the emotions were not coming through either.
I wanted to love it, but the voices weren't perfect for the characters and for me either.
It wasn't so bad, it's still a 4 star, but not what I imagined for this story.

The book itself is really good, but the audio is not for me this time.

Slightly bored, but persevered.

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

Hot Priest x Hot Principal

This story was really good. I never thought I'd want to read a priest story, but Kate has a way of sucking you in. I was immediately drawn to the characters. Reed, our catholic principal who doesn't deviate from his routine and Nic our liquor loving priest. Even though they knew each other from childhood, the fact that they grew into polar opposites was astounding. I loved hearing Christopher voicing these two. He was able to bring out the pain and confusion that Reed has to deal with. He also had to balance it well with Nic's patients and understanding.