After reading and thinking over this book, I'm still not sure how I feel about it. I'll be honest, when I fist saw it online, I skipped right on past it because I do not care for the cover. And I'm totally a "judge a book by the cover" sort of person. I liked the concept of this story, billed as a modern day Romeo and Juliet - Corinne and Enoch both have foundations in the fundamental church. Corinne at one point is cast out of the church and when she returns years later, we see things progress between her and Enoch's relationship. While there was something captivating about this story and I found myself wanting to keep reading it, I also didn't care for much of what I was reading. This was a strange thing to feel as I read the book. Overall, this book was just okay for me.

If you asked me if I was interested in a contemporary setting, Romeo and Juliet retelling with a fundamentalist religious community, I would have probably replied with an adamant and resounding absolutely not and fully meant it, but as I started this one, I realized that I was really invested in this story and didn’t want to stop reading (I stayed awake til past 4 am because I needed to read just a little bit more).

While I had an impossible time connecting to the raised in serious religion hangups the characters possessed, I was so impressed with the beauty of Morrow’s writing and the characters of this book who are so real that they strike the reader more as people you’ve heard about or seen in an article, not fictional characters. This novel kept my interest throughout and I finished it within a 24-hour period.

There is a lot (and I mean A LOT) of fairly awkward sex, most of which seems unnecessary to the story. I have no issue with sex in stories, it can really add to a novel when done well; I found the sex in this one detracted rather than added and diminished my overall enjoyment somewhat.

I was given an ARC of this novel from St. Martin's Press through Netgalley in exchange for my review. As a book reviewer, I read so many books-so many really good books, but still many of them are all but forgotten when they are finished. Corinne, was in a word, unforgettable. This book was so different but so compelling. The main characters Corinne and Enoch were so layered that I just couldn't stop thinking about this book long after it was over. It would be an excellent book for book clubs as this is certainly a book that you want to talk about as you are reading. This is a top notch read and I highly recommend it!

Corrine is a book we will be talking about this summer. Written in a style that is both direct and heart trobbing, it's a story of love, disappointment and renewal. Corrine and her family are members of a fundamentalist church. She loses her virginity at 16, but not in a cruel or criminal way. But, to another member of her church, Enoch Miller, someone she's adored and been attracted to for years. When other members of her church find out, she is cut off..from the church, from Enoch and from her family. After 15 years, they meet again, and return to the relationship they've both always wanted. Can they have a life together and can her family accept her? This is a moving story and speaks to what people are willing to do if they truly love and trust each other. It's also a story of faith and how beliefs affect people's lives outside the church. Some parts are sexually graphic, but important to the story. So worth the read. I will be thinking about Corrine and Enoch for a long time. Thank you St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this book which will be published 7/12/2022. I definitely recommend it.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Corinna and Enoch. I was never sure whether to cheer for them or wish for their end. I was both fascinated and horrified by their story.

An incredible book on many levels-as a examination of the complicated interpersonal lives of anyone trying to pull themselves away from the morass of fundamentalism, as a love story starring two physically imperfect people, as an exploration of what it means to be in a committed relationship. It's beautiful. Definitely five stars.

This book starts out as a coming of age story within a fundamentalist community and grows into a story of their lives within and beyond that community. I liked Corinne from the get go..she was sassy and funny and learning how to be true to herself, her feelings and her family. As I looked back at my notes to write this review I didn't find many after the first few pages. That is most often a result of my being so absorbed in the story that I forget to write anything down!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an early release in exchange for a fair and honest review.

A deliciously wonderful read from the very first page! Rebecca Morrow knows how to weave a story. It's a timely novel with the ex-mo (and similar) movement on tiktok and felt like I was reading a friend's story!

This book was sent to me electronically for review by Netgalley. This is a dark harrowing book about family dynamics and hypocrisy. The characters are difficult to read about, and the story moves slowly…that being said, wanting to determine the conclusion is imperative… this story takes place over fifteen years thereabouts…children grow up but do they change? This author is a genius at telling a story…

What first drew me to this novel was the beautiful cover, and once I read the synopsis, I knew it was just the book that I wanted to read right now. The story was both heartbreaking and beautiful, and I found that the two main characters were so well written that they practically jumped off the page.

Corinne Callahan grew up in an extremely strict church that she was ultimately cast out of during her teenage years because of her "worldly" relations with Enoch Miller, the church's golden boy. Although this caused Corinne to be separated from both her church and her family, she does not regret it because of the deep love that she had for Enoch. Fast forward thirteen years later, Corinne has built a great new life away from the church, but she can never truly forget Enoch Miller and her teenage years that they spent together.

I'll be honest, I was hooked from the very first page. Young Corinne's story was saddening to read, and the time the author spends describing Corinne's relationship with Enoch allows you to feel truly immersed in their story. I found Corinne as an adult to be very relatable, and I felt that I couldn't put the book down until I knew exactly how their relationship was going to pan out in the end. I did find that the last quarter of the book felt a little repetitive and drawn out, however, it was still a captivating and unputdownable read.

My review will be posted on my blog (instagram.com/bekakatereads) closer to the publication date. Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I am not quite sure what to make of “Corinne” by Rebecca Morrow. The book takes place over two periods of time - the 1990s and then 13 years later in the 2000s. In the 1990s, Corinne’s family is boarding with one of her Mom’s church friends (and, actually, the person who got Corinne’s Mom into their super strict church). Corinne has never felt like she fits into not only the church society, but also the general society (I’m not sure anyone in this town isn’t a member of the church). Corinne has always been aware of Enoch Miller (a son in the family with whom they are staying). Enoch is considered an upstanding church member (and potential leader) who cares for its members and, in fact, is engaged. Fast forward a number of months, and Corinne is forced out of the church and is shunned by not only the church community (and society), but also her family. That’s part one. In part two, Corinne returns to the community (still an outcast) due to her mother’s failing health. She again sees Enoch and things happen from there.

The reason I’m not sure what to make about this book is because what I thought happened in the first part (spoiler: someone being taken advantage of) wasn’t in fact true. It took me a while to fully realize that and it did come as a surprise. I did find part of the second part a bit too graphic in an adult manner and, personally, I would’ve preferred a bit of a “fade to black,” but that’s my opinion on that. I found the entire church regiments, sadly, about in line with some other true-life books I’ve read, though how Corinne was treated versus Enoch I found discouraging and unfair. I also wondered, at times, why this book was written and I would’ve loved to have had an Author’s Note or Author’s explanation included in the book - was this based upon a real event, was this a twist on Romeo and Juliet, was this something dreamed and then expanded? I liked the ending, though thinking of Romeo and Juliet, I kept waiting for something bad to happen along the way toward the ending.

This book was interesting and kept me engaged (though, I’ll admit, I did skim those graphic scenes) and I did think, at times, that Enoch needed a bit of an outside world maturing (which sounds odd, but that Corinne had lived “outside” I found her a bit more mature and world-aware opposed to more insular Enoch). At its core, I believe, that this is a love story and that this book reminds the reader that love is important and expressed in many different ways (from a family accepting that a family member will always be a family member no matter what, to breaking from your family to be with your love, to loving a child or relative). And sometimes, you just have to be happy with what life has given you and make the best out of it … and be happy with yourself.

I wasn't quite sure what to make of this book when I started. Corrine was so out of place in her life. She really didn't feel that she belonged anywhere. Enoch was so at ease with his role in the church and his belonging. I enjoyed watching them become closer as they played games each Saturday night. My heart broke for Corrine when she was cast out. I truly didn't know how I felt about Enoch after this happened. I felt he used her and then cast her aside. When they meet back after 13 years, I couldn't help but fall for Enoch a little bit. He was very sure of his faith in a church that really seems a bit too rigid (in my opinion), but he was just as sure of his love for Corrine. I loved that they fought to be together and knew it wouldn't be easy. The ending was sweet and satisfying.


Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are mine.

I was asked to review “Corinne” by Rebecca Morrow. The premise of the novel intrigued me because I adore novels where the couple is kept apart (typically because of family). Here, it’s not just family but also the church that Corinne was raised in.

I wasn’t quite into the sappy parts of the tale (or the erotica) but if you want a novel about a couple who tries to overcome odds to be together, this is your novel.

Thank you the Rebecca Morrow, NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel.

This book is about forbidden love and two people finding themselves after being stuffed into the lives they were expected to lead. Corinne and Enoch are both members of a very strict church where judgement reigns supreme with no wiggle room. The rules are different for male and female, but every bit as restrictive. When things go awry, they both have to find their way.
There is A LOT of, um, adult content in this book, but the story still shines through. It does get a little repetitive and could be a few pages shorter. The two main characters jump right off the page.
I was given a prepub ebook for my honest review. Here it is.

This book wrecked me! Be prepared to be emotionally Invested until this book is finished. A page turner and spans over a few years. Many twists and turns and the perfect book if you want to spend a long day on the couch stuck in a book :)

This was such a unique read about growing up in an ultra-conservative, religious household. When Corinne and her young male friend, Enoch, cross a line, he feels so guilty he confesses his sin to the church and casts Corinne out of the church, her family, her community. While Corinne finds her inner power, she is drawn back to her old neighborhood with the desire to reconnect with her mother. What she finds in a love story so powerful, nothing can stand in her way.

Thank you, NetGalley for an advanced copy of this novel.

Corinne shatters your heart into a million pieces. Romeo & Juliet were teenagers separated by rival families-Enoch and Corinne are adults torn apart by religion. Their angst at being separated is surpassed only by their love and determination to be together. The writing is poetic, the characters honest and real. But make no mistake-Corinne is fiction at its erotic best. But it's not the graphic nature of Corinne that makes you gasp, it's the steely resolve of two people who make you believe love really can conquer all.

In love and harshly separated by church rules, Corinne and Enoch suffer for their love. From teenage love and angst after thirteen years of being apart, the church still rules over Enoch. How they find each other is a touching and sad tale of love and commitments.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I requested to read and review this book for free from St. Martin Publishing Company. This book when I read the description I wasnt sure what to think but knew I wanted to read it. This book is about being happy in yourself. Sometimes you don't know how life is going to turn out but go with it! Corinne and Enoch both have an idea of what they want in life but sometimes for very different reasons. Things happen in life that are unexpected. Is it OK to be happy even if you don't think you deserve it. Can doing the right thing actually be wrong. This book is for a mature reader and can be read anywhere!

The first part of the book was intriguing - getting to know characters, their backgrounds, their soon to be history. I enjoyed getting familiar with both Corrine and Enoch. I was looking forward to what was to follow - secretly thinking I had the plot all figured out including the ending … I was totally wrong.

The second part of the book killed it for me. Instead of diligently working out their vast differences, dealing with the past and the present not to mention focusing on the future the story turned into one big sexcapade. It was a church/religion version of Fifty Shades of Grey - which I disliked immensely. I realize Fifty Shades was extremely popular, no doubt this book will be a hit. Both books are far from what I consider a love story.

I was also bothered by the continual references to Corrine’s weight as well as Enoch’s body type. Stating their physical appearance once is all the audience needs but repeating again and again a bit too much. Also the sex scenes were a bit too detailed - less is best and often far more sexy. Bringing church/religion as the core of the story and than morphing it into something sexual felt stereotypical and insulting.

Story had great promise but nothing what I expected or to my taste.