Reviews

Sabbatical by Katrina Jackson

aglclark's review against another edition

2.5

okay let's preface this review with the fact that I went into this knowing the audiobook was a 2024 Audie Award finalist for the category erotica. 1) it is not erotica, it's romance. there were barely any sex scenes, and they weren't that good. 2) I did not enjoy the narrator for Mike (personal preference). 3) Mike does not respect Toni and this relationship is doomed to fail. 4) I loved the cat.

emblack1's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

sometimesrobinreads's review against another edition

Sooooo much talking and the characters dancing around their feelings. Toni and Mike seemed childish to me. It didn’t feel like they were late 30s, early 40s. Even Deja, Alejandro and Marie felt immature in this book. 

bookishplantmom's review against another edition

lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

talie_up_the_smut's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

violentlyagitated's review against another edition

lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

zayah_wrights's review

5.0

Book 2 of the Curriculum Viate series follows the life of Dr. Antonia Wade (one Deja's best friends in book 1).

Toni has received her tenure and has worked to her very bones to care for all students as well as her colleagues of colour on campus. she's basically the mom friend/lecturer whom everyone goes to for help with absolutely anything and they're guaranteed to get the assistance they ask of her.

The book starts when she's making preparations following the approval of her sabbatical application (about a year off campus and away from her usual responsibilities) and though it should be an exciting time ahead, she's lowkey dreading it because she has a lot of work she's been putting off at home.

Que, Michael Hernandez (Alejandro's best friend in book 1) who volunteers his services in helping her with her renovations. Mike has also had a crush on Toni since the very first time he saw her has been patiently waiting for her to catch on. She never does, even though everyone on campus knows about it.

They do end up together at the end but it's after great lengths that Mike goes to so he could show Toni she can put down the caretaker hat and let someone else do for her what she's so used to doing for others.

brandece1's review against another edition

5.0

Oh my goodness I loved this book! I read the first one in the series a few years ago and as soon as I saw there was a second one, I knew I would be getting to it. This one was just as good as Office Hours; the academic setting, the friend group, Mike's pining for Antonio was all top notch. It was steamy, swoony and so sweet. I love how much respect the MC's had for each other, and I love that this one felt like grown ups falling in love. I love this world that the author created and I am really hoping for more in this series.

theaccidentalromanceblogger's review

funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

I'm not going to lie - this was on my TBL for Oscar Reyes. (I love Mari too, don't get me wrong, but I am definitely in my Oscar Reyes era).

A quite steamy romance set in academia, we follow Toni, who's finally taking a coveted sabbatical from her tenured position. All she wants to do is ... nothing. She wants to REST. And tackle a "few" renovation projects in her fixer-upper of a house. She can't wait for the last class, the last graduation until she leaves on her break. But something strange is happening: she's suddenly "seeing" Mike Hernandez, her colleague at the university. He's always been around as he's also best friends with her best friend's boyfriend and they all work at the same university. All a sudden, his voice seems deeper, his smile brighter and she doesn't know how to deal with it. 

Mike has been pining for Toni for ages much to the enjoyment of his best friend who goads him all the time. And he's had it. Time's up, Toni. And now that she's not overextended with work, Mike will make sure he'll be around and maybe win her heart.

A book that's been clearly written by someone who has personal knowledge of the academic world and it may be sometimes too much for people unfamiliar with the setting. However, the romance is top notch and Mike is not playing around when he finally decides to go for the woman he loves.

Narration: Mari is amazing as always as the no nonsense Toni - a woman who really deserves love in her life. Oscar Reyes has cornered the market for pining tortured heroes and it's OMG. No wonder their performances have been nominated for an Audie! So many stars!

Rep: Black heroine, Latine hero

Possible triggers: mentions of burnout, toxic work environment, microaggressions and systemic racism

hollitha's review

lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75