Is it Possible To Be Redeemed Through Smut Books?(Video Included)

July’s reading list was anything but tame — full of sacred spaces defiled, sharp social commentary, and smutty fictional romances that defy convention. These books blend provocation with depth, offering more than just page-turning escapism.

The Priest Collection by Sierra Simone

Sierra Simone’s Priest Collection is a daring blend of erotic romance, theological wrestling, and redemption arcs. The series follows the Bell brothers, each shaped by a shared tragedy a decade prior.

• Priest: Father Tyler Bell’s world fractures when a woman’s confessions awaken desires he cannot ignore.
• Sinner: Sean Bell is still angry at God, but then he meets a beautiful, yet familiar woman whom he desires, but she desires to become a nun. How can he compete with God?
• Saint: Aidan Bell’s attraction to Elijah is undeniable, but their romance is interrupted when Aidan abruptly departs to join a monastery.

Simone writes with unabashed sensuality, weaving religious imagery into moments of raw intimacy. Sacred oils, cathedrals, and altars become backdrops for freakishly hot(sinful)encounters, yet the novels never lose sight of their emotional core. While not for the faint of heart, the trilogy offers a surprisingly tender exploration of faith and forgiveness beneath the scandal.
​
​Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5) — Excellent
​Tropes/Categories: Romance, Religious Themes, Erotic Fiction

What the Heart Wants by Tiana Laveen

Tiana Laveen’s What the Heart Wants ventures into unusual territory: a romance between a militant, politically outspoken Black man and a white woman — dubbed a “Karen” by those around her — who carries his late girlfriend’s transplanted heart.

Emily, recovering from a severe heart condition, undergoes a transplant at her doctor’s insistence. The donor heart brings unexpected vitality, sparking joy, music, and an undeniable pull toward Cameron, a man still grieving the woman he loved. When the truth emerges — that Emily’s new heart once belonged to Cameron’s girlfriend — their connection becomes both complicated and compelling.

Laveen, known for fearlessly confronting racial and cultural divides (as seen in her provocative The N Word duology), doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable conversations. However, her trademark lengthy monologues, while occasionally slowing the pace, offer profound reflections that deepen the novel’s thematic weight.
​
​Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5/5) — A bold and conversation-worthy romance
​Tropes/Categories: Interracial Romance, Tragedy, Social Commentary, Trigger Moments

Final thoughts

These two works couldn’t be more different in setting and tone, yet both grapple with transformation — spiritual, emotional, and physical. They balance smut with the profound, reminding readers that love stories can be as much about redemption as they are about desire.

Thank you for reading!

Erica writes about the myths we are sold about work, success, and survival- and what's really behind them. She believes writing and literature are medicine and the cure. Sign up for more pieces like this, delivered fresh to your inbox.

​I welcome the pleasure of coffee(or tea)​

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.