I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Nun Too Soon by Lissa Sharpe Series: Bad Habit Book Club #1
Published by Smartypants Romance on April 18, 2024
Genres: Adult Contemporary Romance
Pages: 318
Source: the publisher
Format: E-galley
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Blurb:
Helen is just your normal, everyday librarian who writes romance novels on the side… except she also happens to be a former nun, new to life outside the order and to the dating scene. Helen isn’t just a virgin in her 30s– she’s never had a boyfriend, never kissed anyone, never even so much as held someone’s hand. Becoming a nun was always her path, until it wasn’t anymore, and trying to forge a new path in life has been…tricky.
What isn’t tricky? Her unrequited crush on the handsome library patron that Helen and her friends have affectionately nicknamed ‘The Red Unicorn’ — a man who loves to read, looks great in glasses, and has red hair, aka Helen’s dream man. But the idea of dating is still intimidating, so Helen prefers to daydream about Thad from afar, turning him into her perfect romance novel hero.
Thad is far from perfect, not like the smart, sexy librarian he’s been surveilling. Thad is a bounty hunter who’s determined to find Helen’s brother, Dean, and he’s certain Helen is the key to tracking Dean down. Thad never plans to approach Helen or insert himself into her life–until it becomes clear he’s not the only one looking for Dean. The other people after him are bad news, and Helen’s going to get caught in the crossfire if Thad doesn’t intervene.
As Thad and Helen work together to find Dean, they actually get to know each other, soon realizing that the perfect, ideal versions they have of each other couldn’t be more wrong…but that who they are together might actually be just right.
‘Nun Too Soon’ is a full-length contemporary romance and can be read as a standalone. Book #1 in the Bad Habit Book Club series, Seduction in the City World, Penny Reid Book Universe.
Grab your copy TODAY!
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/4bF0MM6
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CVK269WV
Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0CVK269WV
Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0CVK269WV
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/208424713-nun-too-soon
My Review
I loved the idea behind this and I remember when Penny Reid was asking for ideas for the title for this book. Even at over 300 pages this was a quick read! Probably because it had me turning pages to find out what was going on with Helen’s brother. Not to mention what a different character from most romance, a former nun! Of course the fact that she was a librarian and writing a smutty romance made me connect with her a bit too, lol. (Not that I’m a nun or ever have been, even if my sex life feels like it lately).
At first I was wondering why we didn’t get Thad’s POV for a few chapters, but then it all falls into place when we learn that Thad is a bounty hunter and only hanging around Helen to try to get to her brother Dean. Of course he connects with her more than he knows he should or thinks he will. So Helen of course thinks he will be perfect to help her check off some of those boxes for things that “normal” people do in the real world now that she’s no longer in a convent. Thad knows that he shouldn’t do those things with her, also he just is so sure she’s a woman and so like every other woman in his life up to this point, he knows he probably can’t trust her.
Both have things to learn, and of course both do over the course of the story through all the adventures and situations they deal with. I like the way the author handles the ending though. As you know I’m normally not a fan of those third act breakups, but the author does it so that it made sense for the story. And she made it so that the make up, getting back together was real, and while not perfectly smooth, also not unrealistically easy.
I’m looking forward to the next two I assume will be in the series with Helen’s fellow former nun friends. Although one of those friends is going to have to do some stuff to change my mind about her, because I don’t know how much I like her right now.
About the Author
I’ve been writing stories and dreaming about love for as long as I can remember. I have a BA in theater, a masters in film, and a PhD in British Lit – stories and the ways we tell them are my passion.
Outside of writing, I am a wife, a mom, a teacher, a somewhat devoted cross-stitcher, a semi-competent baker, and a Jane Austen superfan.
I love books across the genre spectrum, so when I’m not writing romance, I also write mystery/ classical adaptations and Gothic horror. I am the author of the Austen University Mysteries (as Elizabeth Gilliland) and Come One, Come All (as E. Gilliland).
Find Lissa Sharpe Online:
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OH, this sounds awesome! I wish it was available via audiobook. Anyhow, I’m putting on my library and/or wish list for this summer. Thanks for the recommendation.
Yeah, it’s one of the few in the SPR world that I didn’t find an audiobook for, I hope they have one though!
This one sounds funny in premise but overall very interesting.
It was a unique story!
This looks like a delightful read. Thanks for sharing.
Having worked with nuns before, this book synopsis feels so wrong! Having said that, I enjoyed your review of it.
I mean, to be fair, these are former nuns, ones who have dropped out.lol