How Not to Sin

Lovestrong, Book 3

De: Susan Hawke

Narrado por: Michael Pauley

One regular guy who happens to be a preacher....

Reverend Dr. Gabe Samson doesn’t think he’s better than any of the people in his church, so please don’t put him on a pedestal. While he’s never hidden the fact that he identifies as bisexual, he’s never acted on it either. Gabe isn’t happy to learn that the sole reason he was hired to pastor the LGBT-friendly church was that the ruling elders wanted a safe poster child for inclusivity - in other words, they wanted the rainbow flag without letting it fly.

Plus one easygoing, new-age kinda guy....

Seth Thomas owns Holistic Healing, a metaphysical shop and yoga studio. He’s never really been a relationship kinda guy, but only because he hasn’t met the right man yet. Seth is laid back and goes with the flow. When fate drops a hot preacher in his lap, why wouldn’t he accept the gift?

Equals a pair of men who click from the start.

The two men find it almost too easy to get together, especially Gabe, who is fully embracing his bi side for the first time. Nothing in life is simple though. While Gabe and Seth are busy falling in love, they face an anti-gay hate group, a divided church, and a ruling elder who is hell-bent on sowing discord. Between Gabe’s patient wisdom and Seth’s snark, the pair fight the growing drama with the strongest weapons in their arsenal: love and humor.

©2019 Susan Hawke (P)2019 Susan Hawke

Loved

I loved this book. the story and the characters are wonderful. I love a story that doesn't preach at you and just puts out good vibes.

Michael Pauley does a great job with this narration. I haven't had a problem with any story that he narrates. S. Hawke does a great job each time, but this might just be my favorite of her books.

another hit

I love this world that the author has built,and loved seeing the end of part of the story that started with the first book. This is definitely a don't miss series and I love hearing it come to life.

So many feels!!

Pastor Babe, lol, I mean Pastor Gabe is seriously the coolest minister I have ever interacted with even if it was a book. I loved everytime he stood up for the right way to treat everyone. Seth was the most perfect man for him. He was so easy going and sweet. Mr. Pauley once again did the most amazing job bringing the story to life!

How Not to Sin is great!

This is a great addition to the LOVESTRONG series. Yoga teacher Seth and reverend Gabe should be an odd match, but they are actually perfect for each other. Gabe's sense of humor lets him appreciate Seth's snark, and the way they care so deeply for each other almost immediately is heartwarming. This story features a fun, supportive, and sexy romance growing in the midst of a hate being stirred up by a horrible person in Gabe's church. Harold Danvers first appeared in How Not to Blend, and his evil homophobia is even worse here. He goes to great lengths to spread his agenda of hate and intolerance. Luckily, Gabe and Seth have a great group of supporters, and many of them are members of the church.
There are some scenes when I feel like the teasing goes on a bit long when a serious conversation needs to happen, but that doesn't detract from a very good story. I love the way the author, through Gabe, offers so many strong arguments against those attempting to use a few verses from the Bible as an excuse to condemn others. This storyline is handled well, without making the reader feel preached at. I appreciated this book.
The narrator's voice was heartfelt and impressive. He brought to life all the feelings in this story, good and bad. I never hesitate to listen to a book featuring his performance, and he fit this story well.

Tolerance vs Hate

The synopsis does summarize the book quite accurately but I want to expand on the humor in the book. Ms. Hawke brings snarkiness to a whole new level while keeping the adorableness of the characters. I’m thinking about the scene with an elderly woman, crystal phalluses, and enough humor to have me laughing out loud in a parking lot. Fortunately it was empty although I would have willingly put up with a few side looks. I’m not a new age person, but I find it fascinating that crystals vibrate at different frequencies. See, learning something new every day.

What I am familiar with is hate and there is plenty of that in this book. An elder in Pastor Gabe’s church played a major role in Book 1 of the series and he’s back again with a vengeance. Gabe is fighting to keep the church inclusive while this man is fighting to keep it exclusive, claiming God does not approve of homosexuality. The biblical arguments went a bit over my head as for years I’ve seen the book as a weapon to be wielded. The author’s liturgical knowledge was strong and deftly handled well. Did it change my position on religion? No. But I don’t think it was meant to. I adored Pastor Gabe who is walking a tightrope between the two factions of his church. I also adored his secretary Dottie who was the largest of tigers, protecting those she sees as her own.

I loved Seth’s easy acceptance of Gabe and his life. He embraces his role as boyfriend with great enthusiasm because although he’s had other relationships, none of them compare to what he’s found with Gabe. I’m not necessarily sold on new age stuff either, but I do believe in meditation and the benefits of yoga. So although there was lots of angst surrounding the church and the religious storyline, the relationship between the two men was fun and cute.

This is another great book in the Lovestrong series and I have to give a shout-out to Michael Pauley for his brilliant narration. His portrayal of Andy’s Gam Gam and the secretary Dottie was wonderful. He carries the voices from previous books and provides a stead performance. A great listen.

Absolutely loved it!

I absolutely loved this audiobook. It's a great story with fabulous characters, both principal and secondary. The book/audiobook is a great story, mixing both important and serious issues like homophobia, hate speech, and intimidation with reasonable. bible-based conversation and rationale responses. There are also big doses of humor interspersed throughout the story that kept it light, and balanced out the more dramatic moments. I couldn't stop laughing at the scene in the holistic shop with (grandma) Loretta examining the sex crystals! I liked the portrayal of Gabe as a minister determined to provide an inclusive religious experience as well as to be true to himself. I appreciated his humanity. He wasn't perfect, and that made him more relatable and humble. At the same time, he was fearless in defending his faith, his principles, and his congregation, just as I would expect a true believer to be. I loved how Seth inspired him to try and reconnect with his family. It was a touching encounter.

The narration was pretty good, although I sometimes had trouble telling which of the younger men was speaking when they were all in a group together. The pacing was good, and the emotions voiced suited the events of the story.

I received a free copy of this audiobook, and this is my honest, voluntary review.

loving this series!

Susan Hawke's How Not To Sinis the third book in the contemporary m/m Lovestrong Series.
Sweet, funny, and a touch of heat, Gabe and Seth are great characters that you fall in love with and root for. I am really enjoying these books in the series. Love them!

Michael Pauley does a fantastic job narrating this story. The characters came to life and I felt like felt like I could get lost in the story. Great job!

Such a good book

I have loved this whole series, but I think this one has been my favorite so far. I read the books first and then listened to the audio. The books are well written and the characters are engaging. Michael Pauley does a great job with the narration. Well worth your time and a credit.

Everyone deserves to love who they want

I received an ARC of this audio for my honest review. This story is about a Preacher Rev Dr Gabe Samson and a Holistic Healer Seth Thomas. This was a great story about two men who fight to be together in a town where some feel their love is a sin. They handle all the anti gay hate in stride. The narrator did a great job with each character.

A great story

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were very engaging and Michael Pauley's narration bring Gabe and Seth to life. I found myself enthralled by the seamless story line and gripped by the plot. A fantastic book all around.