What the hell did I just read?

I usually don't like books with religious elements, any and all, so I wasn't sure how I'd feel about this one, what with it talking about the rise of Christianity.

That being said, I was absolutely smitten. I loved how it depicts everything in a way that had me eager for more. The sorrows, the romance, the struggle between which path to follow and what's right and wrong according to those paths.

I loved the Historical Notes in the end of the book.

And most of all, I loved Leona's character. Smart, strong, independent and passionate. A great example of a strong female lead.

I listened to this as an audiobook and the narrator did such a wonderful job.

The only thing I didn't like was how people kept underestimating Leona and dismissing her feelings, especially Monnica.

Thank you @netgalley & the publishers for this Audio ARC in exchange for an honest review💕

This book swept me up into the storyline and timeline right away. I love how it portrayed a portrait of the time period! I fell in love with the main characters, and I could identify the protagonist. I loved it, but it has a surprising twist that you don't expect. A way that time has of changing all things. I loved being able to listen to this book while working out. I worked out some days just to hear more! This is a must read!

I really enjoyed listening to this book, I found it to be thorough and well-researched with great characterisation. The only thing I did not enjoy was the narration, which was not engaging for me and I did find it quite hard to get past that for a while.

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* Love historical fiction especially ones like this! they did really great creating a fictional life for the mistress!

I loved this book! The narration brought it to life. There is a reason historical fiction is my favorite genre amd this book proves exactly why-I love reading it and learning about the past and this book was no different-the characters were strong and went through so much but came out of it stronger almost and I am so thankful to be able to listen to an ARC copy of this book!

I can't believe I read the entire book. It's an engaging read but, the time skip feels too abrupt and, the main focus is not on the historical backdrop or romance but the religious message. The book points out the lack of opportunity for women, slaves, those with darker skin in that period yet, the narrative seems to take the side of religious men. Augustine was born upper-class, liked to steal food, and only stopped his friend from raping someone when he realized the girl was not taking it quietly. He doesn't show remorse for this fact or is aware of the hypocrite till the very end of the book. He almosts marry's a ten-year-old but decides not to because he suddenly decides to dedicate the rest of his life to god. It makes it hard to distinguish him from the main villains and, one of his best friends feels like he should be with the miss instead.

Read through Netgalley - Thanks go to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to listen to an audio of this book.
Being interested in history it was refreshing reading this book, it was thrilling to see the struggles within families and what to do for the best, while life was much different in the past times that are written about and how they over came their struggles. The only reason this book only got a 4* was due to the lady reading the book (I mean no offence here, I just struggle with some accents - sorry!).
I felt all the emotions in this book and in all the right places, and in the right quantities!
I'd recommend this book :)
Happy Reading!

I listened to the audio book rather than read the book. If I had read the book I would probably have given it a 4/5 star review.

The story took me a little while to get into, but once I did I loved it. I loved the setting of the Roman Empire at the end of it's dominance,with the approaching Germanic hoards on it's boarders. I enjoyed the portrayal of all the young scholarly men, who would sit around and decide on their current religion and beliefs, which seemed to change with the wind.

The book takes us through the main characters youth, the birth of their son, and the culture of the day preventing their marriage. Their characters develope over a number of years, and eventually they are separated. They meet up years later after some tragic events, and both have converted to christianity.

I loved the historical elements of the story, and the positive message that love conquers all. It is a book that will stay with me for some time.

The reason I cut the stars for the audio book was because of the narrator. In my opinion the narration was dreadful and monotone. It was only the quality pof the story that kept me listening. A new narrator is essential if the audiobook is to be a success.

This book was really interesting. It was about a very early time of scribes and religious cultures building community. I was unaware it was based on the story of an actual saint. Very strong character development

I listened to the audiobook. I don't think it adds much and actually think reading it would be a better experience.
This book is from the perspective of Leona, a peasant girl, who meets Aurelius, the boy who would become St. Augustine. I enjoyed this book for its history; it was obviously well researched. Although I didn't feel super invested in Leona and Aurelius as a couple, and also felt my interest wane during the middle of the book.

I enjoyed the historical aspect very much, especially the religious theories and views and rise of christianity. I loved the romance. It was sweet, it was powerful, it was maddening.

I really enjoyed this audiobook, but I could not find if it is even available on Overdrive. I wanted to recommend the purchase to our Collection department. Please tell me it is not an Audible exclusive!

I believe sometimes we forget that saints are men, that they have flaws and desires. The very thing that separates of from god is the thing that makes us uniquely his.

I would like to speak candidly and say this book was F***ing epic. I loved it so much that I listened in audio then went back and read the novel and made highlights. I've been sitting on this book for two days because I'm not sure how to put all my feelings out there. So let's go for it, wish me luck.

The story is set during the fall of the Roman Empire and the rise of Christianity. This is a very important part of the story because this tale gives life to the untold confessions about Saint Augustine and his mistress. In real life, she was never given a name or a face because we all would like to believe that Augustine was protecting her.

Kathryn gives the mysterious woman a whole new life and a romance to rival the ages. The story starts when Leona is a young woman and Augustine was still going by his first name Aurelius. Leona is an African peasant just learning Latin from a handsome guy but doesn't think anything will happen because if it does she will be ruined. Aurelius is helping Leona because he's a love-sick fool and it shows from the very beginning. Leona is naive and she doesn't realize that Latin isn't the only thing she's going to learn.

EVERYONE !!! WARNS LEONA THAT SPENDING SECRET TIME WITH BOYS LEADS TO NOTHING BUT DRAMA!! Leona doesn't believe it until she is pregnant with her son Adeodatus who will change everything in her life. Fast forward eleven years in the future. She and Aurelius are fighting over the future of their son and the love is still strong.

"And for our son? I know it would break his heart to be separated from you. And as for you . . . you’re the queen of my heart. Do you think I could bear to be apart from you? Why do you think I’ve turned down the other noble young ‘virgins’ they’ve dangled in front of me? Because I would rather be with you and Adeo in these two rooms, teaching in my shabby little school. I care about only three things: knowledge, our son, and you. That is all to me. I thought you knew that.”
I started to cry, and he pulled me to sit on his lap. “I’d kill myself,” I sobbed. “Really. It would be like ripping out my heart to be without him.” -page 180

How do you get that type of passion on the page? I'm not sure I don't have poet abilities but I do know that this story literally kept slaying me like everyone was slaying the Roman empire. In the middle of a battle that the world was afraid would never stop. Leona's son was taken away from here and sent away to a school in Rome and she decided enough was enough she would no longer live in sin with Aurelius anymore. So she did the one thing she knew and gave her life to God. Leona spent six long years away from her son and when he finally comes to visit her he falls tragically ill for the second time in his life and dies in her arms.

Aurelius who gave his life to god once Leona left leaves and goes to Hippo to become who we all know as Bishop Augustine. Years later when Leona and Augustine meet again things fall right into place, Even his priests know of Leona's hold on his heart.

"You know that he wrote in his Confessions about a woman and a son who died, and it became rumored that you were the woman. I’m very sorry about your child.” “I still think of him every day. You resemble him. This may be one reason why your bishop loves you so.”
“I love him.” I smiled and nodded. “I see that you do.”
“I was jealous of you when you came. He seemed to reject me in favor of you.”
“He doesn’t love you any less. He was used to me from when we were young. The habits that we form in our youth are the ones that stay with us, and I think I’ve been a comfort to him in this crisis.” -pg 348

In the last moments of your life ask yourself who do you want to hold you? If you know who they are keep them close to you. Everyone won't have a story such as theirs and that's what makes this so miraculous. This beautifully weaves history, second chance romance, and knowledge of the times I have never seen.

I know I am droning at this point but this book is worth the listen and the read and everything in between. I have recommended this to a friend or seven, and I hope you can give this a chance too,

I received an ARC via NetGalley and I am leaving a review voluntarily.

Happy reading everyone !!!

I received The Saint's Mistress as part of a NetGalley giveaway.

Before he was St. Augustine, he was Aurelius, an academic young man yearning to discover the truths of the universe and beyond. A young man with a mistress and young son, with whom he shared a life prior to his conversion to Christianity. This is that woman's story. Named Leona, she became acquainted with the future saint a girl and soon after began a relationship that produced a child and that she hoped would lead to marriage. Despite these hopes, though, their time together was bittersweet, their plans for the future never quite in step. But in facing Aurelius' failures towards her, Leona finds a new strength within herself that will take her on her own spiritual and life journey.

I was raised Catholic and had a passing knowledge of Augustine, but not of his mistress and his life prior to conversion. Bashaar brings her to life beautifully, as a woman of both intelligent and independent thought and of a yearning for a stable and conventional life. From a functional perspective, I liked the narrator but the audio was a bit cloudy, which I ultimately got used to but was a bit distracting in the beginning. Altogether, though, a really interesting look at a barely-known woman who lived during a fascinating place and time in world history.

THIS was a fascinating account of Saint Augustine and his mistress. No one is perfect so no judgment here. The love story and details were interesting especially when you understand the Roman empire and ride of Christianity. I'd definitely recommend this book.

This lacked the complexity that is required for an intriguing story. If felt one demential and I had trouble paying attention and didn’t find it interesting.
The narrator was very bland.
Thanks Netgalley.