Saint

Priest, Book 3

By: Sierra Simone

Narrated by: Jacob Morgan, Sean Crisden

Length: 11 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

I can’t have Elijah Iverson.

I can’t have him because he’s my older brother’s best friend. I can’t have him because I broke his heart five years ago; because he’s now engaged to someone else - someone kind and dependable who deserves his whiskey eyes, his soft mouth, his fierce intellect.

I can’t have Elijah because I’ve chosen God instead.

The Bell brothers, though...well, we don't exactly have the greatest track record with vows. But I’m determined to do this monk thing right - to pledge myself to a cloistered life and spend the rest of my years in chastity and prayer. But now Elijah’s here. He’s here and he’s coming with me on my European monastery road trip, and between the whispered confessions and the stolen kisses and the moments bent over an ancient altar, my vows are feeling flimsier by the day.

And vows or not, I know in my heart that it would take more than a good and holy monk to resist Elijah Iverson right now. It would take a saint.

And we all know that I’m no saint.

(This is the third full-length stand-alone in the Priest Collection, featuring Father Bell's brother, Aiden Bell. You do not have to read Priest or Sinner to read Saint.)

©2021 Sierra Simone (P)2021 Sierra Simone

Jacob and Sean and Sierra cannot be beat

Sierra Simone is a goddess among women. No one in the current Rolodex of romance authors writes on her level. No one. She’s witty, and intelligent, and simultaneously deep and featherlight with her words. Her gift for imagery and metaphor is unmatched. Don’t just read this book, though. Experience it. The audio performance by Jacob Morgan is the best he has ever, ever given. The performance for which he won an Audible in 2020 doesn’t even come close. He seamlessly transitions from the party-hardy, no cares, fast times and top self booze guzzling Aiden Bell to the burly, silent, contemplative Brother Patrick. And when, as characters do, Aiden is as developed as the story allows, Jacob is believable as that man, too. Jacob shines as the deeply human, suffering, party boy who learns to live for himself and to embrace the beauty and freedom of and over opposition. Perfectly complimenting Jacob’s role, Sean Crisden’s Elijah is everything Aiden’s foil and partner needs to be: whispery, assured, and still with his own wonders he keeps close. Sean allows you to feel the confidence and assured posture Elijah has while your hear the uncertainty and skepticism in his tone. A master class from all three artists: author and actors.

I 𝙘𝙧𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙙 this 𝑺𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒕!

𝑺𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒕. What can I say about 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 installment in 𝐒𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚 𝐒𝐢𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐞'𝐬 𝙋𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨𝙩 series? I can say that I felt this one, to my very 𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑤 of my bones. Sure, I fell for Father Bell. And, I absolutely fell for Sean Bell, lover of the Nun. But, Aiden Bell. 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗲𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀. He 𝒐𝒘𝒏𝒆𝒅 me. My soul was 𝒉𝒊𝒔.

Of course, I loved Elijah, as well, but Aiden……his Catholic soul was 𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙙. I felt it. I cried 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 him. I cried 𝙛𝙤𝙧 him. I prayed 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 him. I prayed 𝙛𝙤𝙧 him. He was 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 for me. I haven’t felt that kind of emotion, that kind of 𝚌𝚛𝚊𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚐 since….well, frankly, ᴇᴠᴇʀ.

𝐒𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚 𝐒𝐢𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐞, I do 𝘯𝘰𝘵 know how you do it, but you are absolutely amazing. Your words that show an all consuming love, your characters and their passions, your story lines…….you made me a fan instantly and I can not sing praises for these books high enough. No mountains are tall enough for me to shout from.

This book, like the previous ones, are not for everyone. They are for readers who love the all consuming, fire burning passion, the taboo, the 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙗𝙞𝙙𝙙𝙚𝙣, and for those who love an amazing writing style. They are for those who loves books whose ratings aren’t even on a chart because they are way worthier than a mere handful of stars. I absolutely and completely put this book on the very top of my favorite 2021 reads.

And, for the audio portion, 𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙮 𝙝𝙚𝙘𝙠. Jacob Morgan and Sean Crisden were absolutely swoon worthy with their performance of Aiden and Elijah’s story. They truly brought them to life!

What if…

What if…Sierra wrote a book that has a beautifully messy love story and some of the best imagery (seriously you guys—I was right there in the lavender fields with them. I could picture the gray skies in Ireland). Saint takes you on a journey of Aiden Bell finding his way through darkness and filling his life with love and light.

I always feel a bit smarter when I read one of Sierra’s books. Her writing is flawless and opens our minds & hearts to learn new things. She has educated us on the monastic in the most fascinating way.

I seriously got frissons with the Father Jordan scene…you’ll know when you read it💕

What if…the church was more accepting…

Fave quotes:
I lift my eyes to the hills.—-🥲

“I’d rather have you for three weeks in Europe than spend the rest of my life wishing I’d kissed you one last time,” he whispers.—-I love that Elijah & Aiden are able to work their way back to each other.

‘Sometimes our deepest happinesses start with regret.’

my 2nd M/M read

this is only my 2nd M/M book I've ever read. I LOVED THIS BOOK! watching Aiden's spiritual journey & Elijah's understanding of Aiden's journey was beautifully breath taking. All the while I understand Aiden's path to a point...trying to find out who he is & fighting all the demons along the way. Will Aiden & Elijah find their ways back to each other or not? read it to find out!

THIS BOOK.......

I read on average 200 books a year in this genre and I have never written a review. Until now. THIS BOOK! I loved the first two books in this series but this one was by far my favorite. Sierra Simone is an extremely talented writer, clearly one that does her homework. I fell deeply in love with both of these characters in this book, not just because their relationship was steamy and hot, which it was, but the love between the two of them actually hit me to the core of my soul. Jacob Morgan's talented narration just added to the connection of the character. I found myself rooting for them out loud!

The writing is like a beautiful song, ebbing and flowing. Well done Ms. Simone, well done!

avandal

One of the best Audibles I have listened too by far. highly recommend this if you enjoyed this series at all.

Monk austerity makes for a lukewarm listen

This was a heartfelt story that ran overlong with Aiden’s martyrdom. In the end, he’s just another Bell brother who flees life and then can’t walk the walk he’s chosen. After giving up all of his worldly goods and starting down the path to becoming a monk, he continually allows his former flame to accompany him, even across continents. I never bought his newfound dedication to monastic life. I also never bought the chemistry between him and Elijah. Maybe that’s why this felt lukewarm.

Or maybe it was the ratio of religion to romance. Compared to the previous stories, this was more focused on theology and less on romance or sex. I also found it hard to mesh Jacob Morgan’s narration of Elijah’s voice with Sean Crisden’s. I think duet narration, with Sean voicing Elijah throughout, would have helped.

Too much religion

I loved the other books in this series, but I did not care for this one. 95% of this book was about Aiden's relationship with God, or more accurately, his mind's questioning his relationship with God. There was very little about his and Elijah's relationship, which is what I was interested in. The other three books are really good. If this is the first of this series you've listened to, give the others a chance, regardless of religious preference. Note, this is listed as Priest Book 3, Sinner has Priest, Book 3 as the subtitle, but then is listed as book 2 in the Priest series. Audible needs to get this straight.

Was so looking order to Aden's story, but...

...this was just longwinded and quite unnecessary.

The entire story can pretty much be summed up in a few sentences: Aden his kinda manic and is having suicidal tendencies, he gets a phone call that makes him run to be a monk shocking his boyfriend, and family. He then gets a chance to go on the church's dime around the world to pick a monastery he wants to go to, and his ex tags along writing an article, and the two basically consummate in monasteries all over the word.

Um....

The conflict in this isn't that convincing to me, because the only real resolution is that Aden changes his mind, which he does with an hour left in the story. So why did we listen to 9+ hours of long winded content when we knew he was simply going to change his mind anyway? It's a waste of time because there is no consequence this character suffers that he can't get out of by changing his freaking mind!

Also it bothered me that the men are labeled a queer and not gay. Queen insinuates that there may be straight tendencies to them and I find that a bit disingenuous to gay men, but what ever.

As for the writing, this is much more heavy handed than the last two stories with much more the characters saying/emphasizing the same thing in triplicate over and over again. It really needs to be edited down.

I was SO looking forward to this, but I had to stop it a few times because it's so longwinded.

And apparently there is a 4th college age Bell brother now?! I thought there were only 3 of them. I honestly do not recall that from the other stories. I could be wrong, though.

Perfectly Imperfect Love

Perfection. Sheer. Perfection. Sierra's storytelling is like no other; you don't just read her books; you live, feel, and experience them. Likewise, Jacob Morgan is a sublime narrator, and he didn't just tell you Aiden's story; he immersed you in the pages. He brought authenticity to the role that you felt his joy, his angst, his dispair. Finally, Sean Crisden is a perfect match for Elijah. He's warm and understanding, but he seeks to understand why Aiden left his life, their life, to become Brother Patrick. Saint is a beautiful story and one of the best of 2021; it deserves all the accolades.

A book about love, friendship and faith.

I wasn't sure if I'd enjoy this book, as it was a gay romance. I have no issues with people being gay, but I wasn't sure whether I could listen to intimate details. However since I'd enjoyed the other books so much I wanted to finish the series, and I'm so pleased I did. Aiden and Eligha's story was powerful. It was emotional and romantic. The book shows the true meening of love - romantic, familiar and friendship. The narrators did a great job of bringing the story to life. This story still clearly expressed the lust and love without going into as much sexual detail as the other books. The scenes still expressed passion, intimacy and love. I now have another favourite author.

WOW SUPERB

Saint, what a love story, truly an epic. I really didn't know which way Aiden was going to go but what a journey! You really must have worked so hard writing this book with all the investigation, research and travel, I wonder did you visit those places so beautifully described in the book? I truly have loved every single one of the Priest books, I have them all and I know I will re-listen to them all, absolutely great. Narration was superb I've been spoilt thoroughly to be able to listen to that more than sexy voice of "The Jacob Morgan" thank you Sierra I have enjoyed every one. well done!!!!😍😍😍😍😍

Oh oh oh Brother Patrick!

Yeah this book is soooo good! It tackles so many hard hitting themes and it fantastic. The narration by both are perfect. If you haven’t already…. Get on board with this series, you will not be sorry.

Angst to the max

The emotions in this book were top tier and brilliantly written. I loved these characters and the narrators brought them to life with perfection. The description of real depression made me understand how it can grip people in a chokehold, the HEA was lovely.

Jacob Morgan's Narrating Skills

First of all, the combination of Sierra Simone + Jacob Morgan will always be incredible. Please keep working together!! lSierra Simone writes erotica so well, her words just flow beautifully. But what always surprises me is her ability to also write about deep, thought provoking subjects at the same time, in the same book, which is not so common amongst the erotica authors I know. Now, Jacob Morgan.. what an actor. It's like your inside Aiden's head, and you hear and therefore feel all his emotions. Also, when he performed the voice of Elijah, it was like hearing a complete different narrator. I'm in awe.

loved the story but

I really enjoyed the story and the characters
I just wish it wasn't part of this series and from the same family as is a religion overload In one family and series
I treated it as a stand alone and enjoyed it more, trying to forget the bell brother previous
loved the description of Dublin to Galway as I am from Dublin and now live in the west

emotionally driven and intense

i went into saint thinking it would be like what hearsay had said regarding "priest", and i was surprised to find it was deeper and more visceral than that. the narration was soothing but also entertaining, with certain nuances and emphasis that had me cackling and replaying.

their relationship is complex not just with each other, but with their faith and their beliefs, and i was really drawn in by what they would become as a couple.

Fantastic

This series is amazing the narrators were fabulous. Lots of spice. Can’t wait to read or listen to move by this author 👏

A beautiful story

I was a little apprehensive about listening to this as I am very much a straight atheist, and I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about the sex scenes. But having listened to Priest and especially loved listening to Sinner, I am so glad I took the plunge. A beautiful story from start to finish. I have learnt so much about monastic life and loved the pure beauty of the sex scenes. Highly recommended.

Fantastic

I absolutely loved this series! Definitely worth the time invested to listen to all 4 books.