This books kept me entertained from beginning to the end! Will check out other reads from both authors!

I liked the premise of the book, but could not for the life of me get into the story. It was juvenile in its writing and I honestly couldn't finish it. I'm giving it 2 stars for the premise.

What a lusty and morally complicated ride! A priest that is fighting his want for a woman (and of course he loses!) An emotional journey through the eyes of a man that struggles between his duty and his desire.

A tremendous story of suffering, faith, healing, mercy, redemption, and love! Canaan and Haven told this story from alternating POV which made this story awe-inspiring. I can't believe I waited so long to read it.

Provoked questions regarding theology vs. canon. Great for fans of Andrew Greeley. #dontjudgeabookbyitscover #overthinking #muchtolearn

In the immortal words of Hozier...take me to church!

I’m born and raised Roman Catholic. I even was a servant myself from the age of ten until I was eighteen. If I’m honest I don’t even want to imagine what my parents would say if they knew I read a book like this – and not only that: That I also LOVED it!

This book is about so much more than a priest breaking his most sacred vow. It’s cutting, it’s deep – a story about healing, forgiveness and atonement. It deals with a very sensitive and heavy subject matter in the most careful way. This book definitely is not for everyone, even the forbidden aspect not taken into account. It deals with sexual as well as with emotional abuse, which in parts was very difficult to read. I had to step back and take a deep breath before I was able to continue. But these parts are vital to the storyline and part of what makes the book unique. The setting, the execution of the whole plot, the way Haven and Canaan found each other, how it slowly and not at all deliberately happened that they became more than they were supposed to ever be… It’s what makes me see this story as forbidden, yes, definitely, but as a disastrous sin? No.

Canaan and Haven’s lives have been intertwined for much longer than either would have guessed. They find each other unexpectedly when they return to their hometown, both for work reasons. Their story is not an easy one, a love so beautifully tragic that never should have happened. I loved both characters dearly and, on a total side note, I would give the shirt off my back to see Haven’s paintings in real life. They were described so vividly, in such great detail, that I was in awe just imagining them.

This is a book that should not be judged by its blurb. It’s gut-wrenching and emotionally draining, but the end makes all the suffering absolutely worth it. I’m in awe of this magnificent book.

Thank you Terri E. Laine and A. M. Hargrove for being so courageous and giving us such a controversial yet devastatingly beautiful story.

Beautiful Sin follows the lives of Canaan and Have, two very tormented people whose paths intertwine in a very unexpected way. They're both trying to look fine on the outside, while the demons from their pasts invade their present and won't let them live in peace. It's easier to put on a happy smile in front of the world in order to hide your suffering.

First of all, Canaan and Haven's story was very moving and different from what I usually choose to read. Their taboo love story is what initially drew me in and the events that followed definitely made it more interesting than I could've hoped for. I'm all about forbidden romances and this one definitely made the cut. It was a bit difficult for me to get through the beginning because I really did not know whether I was into the story or not. I'm very glad that I kept on reading though because after a couple of chapters, I started to enjoy it.

Second of all, what I think I enjoyed the most was the authors' writing. I immensely enjoyed the writing style of this book and it really managed to intrigue me. The plot itself had a little bit of everything - drama, angst, forbidden romance - which I think a lot of people will find satisfying if they decide to give this book a chance. The characters themselves were very likable and what they went through broke my heart. They didn't get together until after some time and the circumstances weren't the most conventional but, in the end, they got their happily ever after!

The story was told in both their POVs which is something that I personally prefer and enjoy more. The character development was also very impressive, mostly where Canaan is concerned because by the end of the book, he was like a completely different person. Truth be told though, I wasn't blown away by their show of affection for each other. Or how their love story/relationship progressed. I feel like it was a bit underdeveloped or just not passionate enough for my taste. Especially considering how much they sacrificed to be together. Everything happened so quickly but didn't have the intensity that a hopeless romantic like me would expect in situations like these.

Lastly, I really was expecting some kind of plot twist during the ending. Or at least something that wouldn't make it feel so rushed. There were some aspects that were being repeated while, some other ones that I would've liked to see more of kind of faded in the background. Long story short, I would've liked it a lot better if certain topics were a bit more detailed and progressed way further than they initially did in the book.

Overall, it's a beautifully written and unique story, full of heartbreak and challenges that will definitely move you. Beautiful Sin wasn't my favorite but it is definitely a very enjoyable read and I would recommend it for fans of forbidden love and drama!

This books kept me entertained from beginning to the end. Another great book by Hargrove but now I need to check out Laine!

Wow, gut wrenching but beautiful as the title implies. I will start off with a warning. One of the prominent elements in this story is abuse, physical, emotional, and sexual, so if that offends you or you have your own personal issues with the subject then this book is probably not for you. I was actually a bit apprehensive to read it because of the subject matter and forbidden romance but I'm really glad I did.

This is the third book I've read from writing duo A.M. Hargrove and Terri E. Laine. Cruel and Beautiful and A Mess of a Man are both amazing books so if you haven't read them, definitely check them out! A Beautiful Sin did not disappoint. I haven't read another book like it, ever. The story follows Canaan, a catholic priest, and Haven, an up and coming artist on their journey to forbidden love. Both endured unspeakable abuse during their teen years. Let's talk about Canaan first. Both characters abuse is horrific but Canaan's struggle tore me up. He becomes such a good and pure adult despite the horrible things done to him. His inner torment and guilt is so heartbreaking. Haven also rises above her abuse and channels her feelings into her art. She's tough as nails and doesn't trust any man, but who can blame her? A horrible misunderstanding when they were younger brings Haven and Canaan together as adults. Haven hates Canaan because he turned her away during a time of need and she confronts him about it. But as they spend time together and get to know each other, it's clear that there's more to the story than Haven's aware of. Haven endeavors to find out why Canaan is so tortured and in the process she starts to fall in love with the only man she's ever wanted and the only man she can't have.

I've read some other reviews that say there's no chemistry between Haven and Canaan and I completely disagree. The important thing to remember about Canaan is that he's not your typical, alpha-male, womanizing character. He hasn't experienced the world like most men and he's not ruled by the head in his pants. So for me, the way Haven and Canaan's relationship slowly develops makes complete sense. It isn't one of those instantaneous attractions because they're both off limits to each other and they know it. Ultimately though, that doesn't stop feelings from developing and turning into forbidden love. You can't help but root for these two to get together. Canaan lives for so long with inner turmoil and self-loathing. Haven helps him to get past those feelings and makes him realize that the abuse was not his fault. Even though they try to stay away from each other, things keep happening that bring them together until they finally give in to their feelings and get their unorthodox happily ever after.

Hargrove and Laine handled the sensitive subject matter beautifully. There were times I had tears in my eyes and other times I was laughing out loud. There are steamy scenes but they're appropriately done and fit the characters personalities. This isn't your typical, run of the mill romance so if you're looking for something different but with a happy ending, you'll enjoy this book!

A Beautiful Sin drew me in with the emotion, internal conflict and powerful storyline this one had me hooked early and kept me within its pages from the beginning. This may have been the first book I have read by these authors but I can tell you it won’t be my last.

A Beautiful Sin by A.M. Hargrove and Terri E Laine was spectacular!
A forbidden love story that had me panting for more.

I could not put this book down!
Its about two people who have pasts they would rather forget... But their demons are out to haunt them. Soon they find solace in each-other even though all the good and bad.

There are some trigger warnings in this book, that I had trouble reading, but I cant express enough how much I enjoyed this story. Definitely a must read from me.