I love reading black romance stories. I start out reading books expecting to enjoy the story. However, there are times that I have been disappointed. Not with this book; I absolutely loved it. This was book of characters, especially Aaliyah, that I can relate to. The family issues & relations was that which I was able to identify with; this identification caused me to recall past situations and relations with family. I look forward to readings books by this author.

Absolutely amazing. Finished it in one day!
This book was so good. Like I can’t even explain or describe the way I’m feeling about Church Girl.
This was a perfect paced storyline. It is short but long enough. I wish it was an epilogue to know more about Aaliyah and Von story. Of course Gia too. She was too adorable. I love the strong black father that Von portray in this book! I love the cousin Tamera, she had me cracking up in the beginning. Can’t wait for her story (2026)

* runaway bride
* Preachers daughter
* Grumpy MMC
* Southern Sunshine MFC
* Tattoo shop( my weakness)
* Second chance at love ❤️
* Down to earth cousin (can’t wait for her story)
* Chicago based
* Spicy scenes 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Thank you NetGalley for the arc for my honest opinion.!

Admittedly, the cover of Church Girl drew me in, and the story held my interest. Aaliyah is a runaway bride who left her small Alabama hometown to get out from under the thumb of her bishop father. She convinces her cousin to take her back to Chicago, where she's planning to reinvent herself without the overbearing pressure she's always subject to. Von, however, is basically Aaliyah's polar opposite. He's a well-known tattoo artist with a booming business, but is in the midst of a contentious divorce battle with the mother of his young daughter. Their paths cross when Aaliyah interviews to be nanny to Von's daughter, and they're at odds almost from the start.

Unsurprisingly, Aaliyah grew up very sheltered and has toed the line of expectation her entire life. She's never been independent and Von immediately picks on her naivete and inexperience. She doesn't exactly inspire confidence as a nanny, but when Von is forced to give her a chance, they're both struggling with the antagonistic interactions. They very much fit into the grumpy/sunshine trope, and give off dom/sub vibes, too. Their sexual tension is near immediate, despite the issues they have in working together.

Much of Church Girl is really a story about Aaliyah finding herself without outside influence. Her choice to go from a small town to big city life forces her to figure things out quick, and she dives in feet first. Despite this growth, though, it's harder to believe that she'd jilt a fiance and run away from home, yet be unable to actually stand up against her family. For his part, Von is jaded by the demise of his marriage, frustrated by ongoing coparenting issues, and the trauma he holds on to that is readily seen in how he interacts with Aaliyah. He's largely a one-dimensional character throughout the book, even when he allows himself to be minimally vulnerable. Much of his growth feels internal and not something other characters benefit from consistently.

For a book of sustantial length, I didn't feel that Aaliyah and Von had the character development expected in a book of this length. I also didn't appreciate is how the book handled the sensitive topic of near-abuse Aaliyah experienced as a child. It felt very glossed over, given the seriousness of what occurred and its impact on her over time. The resolution of the book unfortunately felt rushed and unrealistic in how it played out. It felt very neatly wrapped up for a sitaution that was anything but.

Despite wanting more depth for the main characters and more careful handling of sensitive topics, I enjoyed Church Girl overall. It's high drama, high tension, and an easy read to get absorbed in. This was my first book by Naima Simone, and I'll likely check out more in her catalog on the strength of this.

Thank you Harlequin Romance for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Church girl was amazing! The story follows Aaliyah, a runaway bride from a strict Christian background who longs for freedom. Von a single father that has the tattoo game on lock while being a little rough around the edges.

Von decides to judge a book by its cover when he first meets Aaliyah but he is proven wrong and is a witness to the saying there’s more that meets the eye. In addition, the revelation made by Von was NOT at all what I expected. My favorite part of the book would have to be seeing Aaliyah discover who she is and step into her new life.

My only caveat is the story did have some jumps in time that seemed a little disjointed. In all honesty I really wish the book was longer so some gaps can be filled.

This is probably closer to a 3.5, but I believe in rounding up!

this book was a quick little read, i finished it within a couple hours. The characters, Aaliyah and Von, were captivating both instantly captivating.

as someone who grew up in church, this book felt like coming home. I’m not a PK, but I was at the church anytime the doors were open, and I could FEEL the turmoil that Aaliyah was going through by “letting her parents down”. It was refreshing to see religious trauma (let’s call it what it is) be handled in a way that was respectful but approachable.

one thing i wished was for more fleshing out of the backstories for both the FMC & the MMC. By the time we saw Gregory again, I had forgotten who he was (lmao). I love a flashback, fill me in on ALL the details baby.

This was my first Naima Simon book, but I’m certain it won’t be my last!

Overall: 4
Spicy: 3

You never know when you’ll meet the person that’s supposed to be your soulmate. FMC is naive and sheltered by overbearing parents. MMC hurt by his ex and just needs a nanny. Both have smart mouths and try to deny their feels. This was a feel good book with just enough spice to keep it entertaining.

A quick fun read with loads of character development. Aaliyah’s story was relatable in so many ways. I loved how she got from under her family’s state and was able to become a strong independent woman! Von was a great father but an asshole. I appreciate how he owned up to his mistakes and loved our girl wholeheartedly. I look forward to more work from this author and maybe reading about these characters again 😊

This was a nice book! Not a favorite but it was enjoyable. Towards the beginning I wasn’t in love with our MMC, but once we hit half way I was liking him a lot more

The cover is beautiful and I was super excited to read this.
I struggled a bit to read this. It was an okay book with a great premise, but I believe the execution was lacking. I feel like it dragged along and the writing seemed especially internal and the external dialog seemed a bit cringy. I understand and appreciate the inclusion of African American Vernacular English (AAVE) as in that sense it seemed more realistic and relatable, but the dialog writing didn't hit right for me.

This story was okay. At times it felt elementary to me due to some of dialogue between the characters and inner dialogue from the characters own point of view. It’s the choice of the words used that I wasn’t really a fan of. Some of the things I liked were the depth and complexities to the characters, the realizations the characters had when it came to their traumas, and who wouldn’t love little Gia. Overall it wasn’t a bad story, just lacked the depth and word play I was looking for.

3.25

This was a quick, spicy, heartfelt read! I inhaled this book granted it is on the shorter side but I still ate it up.

Von was addictive. I totally understand why Aaliyah folded so fast. The second he called me lil mama, I’d be GONE.

This book had some heavier topics that I wasn’t expecting! I think on the surface they were done well but I think the author could have really dug deeper into those topics and added more to the character development.

I wish we could have gotten more out of this book. I would have liked it to be longer honestly. I wanted more development between Von and Aaliyah. I feel like when they did talk about those bigs things it was during spicy scenes. I think there was a lot more the unpack with her religious trauma that felt rushed. An epilogue would have been amazing to see what happens for them, since the relationship was very insta love.

Very solid book! I enjoyed it! I love a good opposites attract, single dad romance.

Both Aaliyah and Von have their own issues and things to work through but they bond over the love of his daughter. Only reason I didn’t give it a 5 is because at points, I felt like the relationship was very surface and would’ve liked to see more deep dives into their thoughts and feelings. I feel like those deep dives only happened during the sexy scenes.

This is a cute, emotional, and slightly spicy book that delves into deeper topics like religious trauma and co-parenting after divorce. The writing is a little rushed and I wish there was an epilogue but it's still really enjoyable.

Thank you to the publisher for the e-copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This could have been a five-star read if it had been longer. I really wanted to see more of their relationship develop, and an epilogue would have been great. But overall, I loved the book. It’s wild that his ex-wife was trying to get back together after everything that went down!

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.