Unholy Desire: A Father's Best Friend Gay Romance Novel

Lynn Burke

Mar 2022 · Sinful Natures Book 3 · Lynn Burke

About this ebook

A Forbidden Age Gap MM Contemporary Romance Novel by USA Today Bestselling Author Lynn Burke

As an overseas missionary who leads lost souls toward salvation, it’s imperative I live a godly existence, even in the midst of life-shattering grief.

 

Returning to the States brings about a trial worse than the loss of love, and I’m faced with desire for someone forbidden to me by my church and the word of God.

 

Aaron Weston.

 

My best friend’s son who is no longer a gangly teen. He makes me want things no newly widowed man should.

 

His presence fills the emptiness in my life, but my sinful nature longs for more. Every inch of him—in my heart, in my body, making me feel whole again.

 

Giving into the hunger of the flesh will take us down a path of immorality, one that goes against my strive for holiness.

 

I lost my wife from focusing on promised riches in glory.

 

And if I make the same mistake, I fear the responsibility for the ruination of another soul.

Ratings and reviews

The third book in Lynn Burke's Sinful Natures series, Unholy Desires is an age gap romance... with a couple of interesting twists. All the novels in this series have a very different flavor, and each can be read as a standalone. As with the other titles in this series, the characters are members of the Simply Grace Church. The congregation (as well as the clergy) is filled with bigots and small minded folks. We first meet Aaron sitting in the pews alongside Zeke in Unholy Yearning, and I'm glad to see him breaking away from the Simply Grace crew early on. Unholy Desires isn't centered as much around Faith (with a capital F) the way the previous two books are, rather, this story focuses on relationships. Aaron and his dad, Ezra and his best friend, Ezra and his deceased wife, and Aaron and Ezra. While the characters’ faith does come into play as they’re processing their emotions and actions, it is more personal and less the religious indoctrination they’ve been fed their whole lives. I’m loving what Lynn Burke is doing with these stories. Combining the influences of the teachings of the Simply Grace brand of religion, forcing the characters to confront their beliefs, and come clean both to themselves and the folks in their community, makes for a fascinating story. Because the men have been close since Aaron was a young boy, Lynn Burke cleverly weaves this aspect into the storyline. It’s more than exploring the romance between Aaron and Ezra, it’s also about the way their emotional bond from their past impacts their physical and emotional bond of the present. Ten stars to Ezra, who is literally the hottest forty-nine year old guy on the planet. The way he gradually comes to accept his attraction to a man, especially with the fact it is the young man he knew as a child, is beautifully done. And his journey of coming to terms with life beyond his church, accepting the death of his wife, and building a reconciliation with Phillip simply left me breathless. Bravo!

Lynn Burke weaved an emotional and intriguing romance that will have you feeling real emotions and no matter your religious views, you will be thinking about this story for days after. For 15 years, Ezra Jamison has lived overseas, guiding people to a more enriching life but with God. During that time, he fell in love and got married. When she dies, he moves back to the states. He moves in with his best friend, Philip and his son, Aaron Weston. Aaron is no longer a teenager. He’s grown into a handsome but closeted man. Having Ezra living with him and his father brings his crush roaring back to life. He lives with his father who is sick with Parkinson’s Disease. Even though Ezra is struggling with his grief over his late wife, it doesn’t take long before the fiery chemistry between him and Aaron to slowly burn out of control. I was truly surprised with the twists and turns. I didn’t expect some of the aspects the author wrote into their story but she created the story with thought-provoking grace. I’m really looking forward to the next book in this series. This is my honest opinion, freely given.

I think there were a lot of readers waiting in anticipation for this book from Lynn Burke and believe me, we were not disappointed. I was literally hanging from the words uttered by Ezra and Aaron, whether in sorrow or joy. Ezra who thought his path was true, left in utter despair and pain. Aaron who had fallen for Ezra while still a teen, but dedicated to caring for his father who was diagnosed with Parkinson's and was nearing the end of an eight year battle. Some characters make an appearance, those you will be happy to hear from and then those bigoted in their beliefs. I can't leave this review without mentioning the amazing cover. I can stare at it for ages and find new emotions as well as more hope.