A Single Dad meets Sister Maria....I enjoyed this book from beginning to end. Aliyah runs from her wedding and seeks the help of her cousin Tamera ( can't wait for her story). Aliyah seeks employment as a Nanny when she meets the Sexy, tatted, single dad Von, things get interesting. Von finds out there is more to Aliyah than meets the eye. Aliyah finds strength within Von's arms. I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Somehow this is my first book by Naima Simone, and I really enjoyed it. The set up of runaway bride becomes a nanny for hunky single dad really worked for me and the chemistry between Von and Aaliyah was well done. The book was a bit short and I would have liked a little more development of their relationship (and an epilogue!) but overall this was a great read and I look forward to the next one in this universe.

I voluntarily read a gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Aah what a story, what a book! Loved it! Felt real, and so well told! The romance, going through life's hurdles. Just lovely. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

Beautiful cover. Talented author. I enjoyed this story! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. I loved reading about our main character's self-discovery journey.

This blew me away. It was such a tender story but made me laugh so much. Von is the absolute best MMC I’ve read in so long, I loved his demeanor towards Aaliyah and just the way he cherishes her. The purity culture breaking of stereotypes really sold this for me too, we love breaking generational and misogynist views!

NAIMA!!!!!! GIIIRRRRLLLLLL!

This book did what it needed to do! It gathered the Christians that are too holy to see reality, it snatched the lace fronts of the women mistreating good men, getting pregnant, and then using the children to make their lives miserable. It high-fives those women who decide to live on their terms. It promotes women uplifting each other without judgment. Most of all, it gives a nod to men doing what is right for their children no matter the circumstance. This spicy, yet heartwarming story was an entertaining short read that leaves you wanting more!!

If you break it down it can be a Beauty and the Beast-inspired story. A preacher's kid runaway bride (Belle), a fiance that does not get the hint (Gaston), and the hood love interest (the beast)..maybe this is a reach.

I suggest you read the story yourself and tell me what you think.

Bring on Tamar's Story!!!

Thank you Netgalley, Harlequin - Romance | Afterglow Books by Harlequin, and Naima Simone for the ARC of this book. I am leaving this honest review voluntarily and without coercion.

Aaliyah is a preacher's daughter, brought up to be a preacher's wife. But when the day comes, she runs away to Chicago to live with her cousin. Aaliyah is going to make her own way and follow her own dreams. Von is a successful tattoo artist and shop owner in desperate need of a nanny. Despite the ten year age difference and power differential (or because of it) they are very into each other.

I really liked all the tension between these two. So much lust. I also loved Aaliyah's fiery temper wrapped (mostly) up in devastating niceness and bible verses.

So while this was a really enjoyable book, the big conflict happened really late in the book. And Von didn't suffer enough. He didn't grovel enough. I wanted him to do some more work to earn Aaliyah back, and I wanted her to demand that of him. But it didn't happen.

A good solid read overall. And look at that cover - so pretty.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This romance felt so lived in and real. The FMC felt so familiar, her suffocation and desperation felt so palpable. I really enjoyed this one and I cannot wait for others to as well.

I love Naima Simone's books! In Church Girl, a Southern bishop's daughter flees her wedding, feeling suffocated by her controlling parents and nearly arranged marriage. fleeing to her stripper cousin's house in Chicago, she ends up nannying for the sweet daughter of a tattoo shop owner who is still recovering from the betrayals of his ex-wife. He thinks the new nanny is too innocent. She thinks he's too bossy. But as they begin to know and respect one another, neither can deny the scorching hot passion that burns between them. Sensual & emotionally satisfying.

"Out of the blue, I'm reminded of one of my favorite Scriptures, about God not being found in a wind or an earthquake or a fire. He was found in a quiet, small voice. That's this kiss."

After fleeing her small town and controlling family, Aaliyah finds support with her outcast cousin as she seeks her own identity, and crosses paths with bad boy, Von, who's in desperate need of a nanny for his daughter. 

There's a saying about "never judge a book by its cover." A lesson Von Howard had to learn when it came to good ol' church girl, Aaliyah Montgomery. She may not have had a lot of life experiences, but everyone has a story that shapes them into the person they are and Aaliyah is full of surprises.

But life hasn't been easy for Von. All he wants is to continue to prosper in his business and provide a loving and healthy environment for his seven-year-old daughter, but his ex-wife looks to complicate every aspect of his life. 

So, when Aaliyah enters his world, it's literally a breath of fresh air, but Von can't shake off that mix of innocence with sensuality Aaliyah gives off. Making their professional relationship a struggle, but a pleasant struggle, and I enjoyed every moment. 

Aaliyah and Von radiate an intensity that's hard to ignore, and I was drawn into their fierce connection to the very last page. 🔥🔥🔥

Naima Simone's upcoming romance, Church Girl, is a must-read and one I can't wait to add to my collection! #ChurchGirl #RomanceNovel #RomanceBook #BlackRomance #ReadingRomance #RomanceReads #NetGalley

My girl finally puts herself first. She's a runaway bride...on her way to Chicago to discover herself. The story of Aaliyah and Von is a good time. This book will give you all the feels.

I love the cover of this book! I will/would recommend this book to anyone who listens. The characters and storyline is amazing and the characters are very well developed. I’m glad the ex-wife was able to see the error of her ways and apologize to Von.

I love this author and was thrilled to receive an ARC of this book. I guess I'm in my single dad - cute kid, phase. I love Von and Aaliyah's story, Gia was hilarious. I will read this book again, I sped through it. Naima is an author that I instantly add to the TBR. Treat yourself to a great afternoon read on a weekend and get all booked up.

Church Girl by Naima Simone is an age gap romance about a young woman who essentially fed up with her life and is ready for a big change, that includes running away on her wedding day to find her way to freedom. I thought this booked moved at a good pace and the timeline of the events was stretched out that it was comfortable. My biggest complaint is that the story will hop around for weeks and tell us that essentially nothing happened. It would be nice to have a few filler events because it almost feels like over the months long timeline, they actually didn’t have a ton of meaningful interactions. Regardless, it was still a very good read and I look forward to reading the next one in the series.

4 stars
Slow burn romance
Workplace romance
Dad/nanny
Grumpy/ sunshine

Von is in need of a nanny, at first glance he instantly judge Aaliyah but with no other option, Von is forced to settle for the "country bumpkin."

I enjoyed this book. I love a good Dad/nanny romance.

Tamara was my favorite character. I appreciated how she treated Aaliyah.

I also enjoyed the authors writing style.

This book seems too long and too short at the same time. I do believe this book needed an epilogue. While the story has an HEA as most romances do, I feel it ended somewhat abruptly.

Unfortunately this book wasn't for me and I had to DNF. I liked the idea of this story but some of the wording at the beginning made me realize we just didn't click. Will potentially check for future work by this author because I love romance books by Black authors. Best of luck to this author's release!

i really enjoyed this book for it being my first book from this author! i really loved the characters, the storyline and how fast paced the book was!

5 ☆
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She’s a preacher’s daughter, a runaway bride and now the (not quite) qualified nanny for a sexy tattoo artist with a beautiful daughter—and a dirty mouth.

I went into this book completely blind. I was expecting a church-based book with all the holy, rolly stuff, and what I got was a pleasant surprise! This book pulled me out of a reading slump—a reading slump! I devoured this book in one day; it held my attention the entire time. As of now, this book is my favorite book of the year. Von, my man, my man!

I can’t wait for the second book!

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬:
•church Girl vs Tattoo Artist (Man)
•Single Father
•Black Romance
𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 Nov.26
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Thank you, Netgalley, and Harlequin for the eBook in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc!

I loved this! Von was kind of a jerk but in a good way and I loved Aaliyah. This was a really good book. It was my first my this author but will not be my last.

Never reading anything from this author but I’m impressed with her writing. While reading, it felt like I was watching a movie because I felt every emotion of the main characters. While there wasn’t a lot of romantic gestures, I still enjoyed Von and Aaliyah’s romance. Their interactions were sexual tension so the romantic gestures didn’t matter that much.