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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
Wow! This book was fantastic! It’s been on my TBR for awhile, but I’ve held off, wanting to be in just the right mood so I could savor every word. It takes amazing talent to tell such a beautiful, deep, and loving story. Absolutely stunning in its beauty! Thank you C.P.!
I absolutely loved Phoenix & Bash's story.
Between the angst and wondering when it would all blow to pieces, they kept me on the edge of my seat. I honestly liked the direction the author took their story, because its one I didn't really see coming (I personally thought it would be worse) but for them, it absolutely worked and made sense.
Their HEA was not easy to come by, but the character growth, aka pain, was definitely needed for it all to work out. This was my first book by CP Harris and I can confidently say I'll be reading more.
" Nothing feels better than burning for someone who wouldn't think twice about burning for you. "
4 stars
2 spice
Between the angst and wondering when it would all blow to pieces, they kept me on the edge of my seat. I honestly liked the direction the author took their story, because its one I didn't really see coming (I personally thought it would be worse) but for them, it absolutely worked and made sense.
Their HEA was not easy to come by, but the character growth, aka pain, was definitely needed for it all to work out. This was my first book by CP Harris and I can confidently say I'll be reading more.
" Nothing feels better than burning for someone who wouldn't think twice about burning for you. "
4 stars
2 spice
Reread...
Still as amazing and poignant. I adore everything about this book.
Everyone will want to read this book!
Review to come❤
A Union of Minds, Bodies and Souls…
******SPOILER FREE REVIEW*******
******HIGHLY RECOMMENDED INEVITABILITY******
I read the first part of the book with one hand on my heart, tears in my eyes, and the knowledge that I was beginning to read something spectacular. I was right. CP has cemented herself a 1-click author for me... for many reasons. Her passion for her characters, her devotion to create the perfect book and her way with words. Poetic, Poignant, Possessive and Passionate.... Just a few words that describe how this author creates her story.
WHAT I LOVED...
1. The Characters…
Phoenix: Senior, Philosopher, Driven, Ambitious and completely unprepared for meeting Professor Sebastian Wicked. #CaughtOffguard
Phoenix broke my heart from the beginning of the prologue. He was pure and innocent, but he was also powerful and passionate. from his relationship with his late dad, to his relationship with Sebastian, he showcased a perfect Arch of growth and development.
Sebastian: Philosophy Professor, Grieving, Lonely and unaware that his life will forever be changed after meeting Phoenix. #UnderMySkin
Sebastian was larger than life in Phoenix's eye, he was a God, his very own Plato. In reality though, Sebastian was vulnerable and flawed. He needed Phoenix even more than Phoenix needed him... he needed Phoenix to heal him, resurrect him, erase his pains and fill his life with life and happiness.
The Plot…
Both characters find a kindred spirit in the other, connect at a molecular level and fall for each other’s mind and body. But Phoenix is a student, and Sebastian is his professor. Their relationship is forbidden with many obstacles but it is also inevitable. Little moments made their story unforgettable and larger moments made it memorable.#NoMatterWhat
The Romance…
It is romantic and sexy, slow and steady, organic and explosive. Phoenix brings light, laughter and love to Sebastian’s world, while Sebastian brings stability, strength and satisfaction. The give and take between Phoenix and Sebastian made all the difference. Even with Sebastian's alpha nature, the way he cherished Phoenix and was patient with him, was a way that showed that lust didn't guide him. Sebastian groomed him and empowered him, gave him the chance to grow and flourish. On the Other hand, Phoenix was the light, the childishness and the levity Sebastian needed to finally breakaway from his past . #PowerExchange
Steam-o-meter: HIGH, EXPLOSIVE, PANTY-MELTING HEAT! And what I loved was the pacing... how they didn't just fall into anal. ultimately, Phoenix was an 18-year old virgin, and he needed patience. #ColdShower
Angst-o-meter: Angsty!!! But... #ItHurtsSoGood
HEA: Hard-earned, moving and worth the wait. I loved the epilogue and it made my heart soar. The bonus scenes were just as important, just as moving and just as beautiful. #TheBeginningOfForever
Still as amazing and poignant. I adore everything about this book.
Everyone will want to read this book!
Review to come❤
A Union of Minds, Bodies and Souls…
******SPOILER FREE REVIEW*******
******HIGHLY RECOMMENDED INEVITABILITY******
I read the first part of the book with one hand on my heart, tears in my eyes, and the knowledge that I was beginning to read something spectacular. I was right. CP has cemented herself a 1-click author for me... for many reasons. Her passion for her characters, her devotion to create the perfect book and her way with words. Poetic, Poignant, Possessive and Passionate.... Just a few words that describe how this author creates her story.
WHAT I LOVED...
1. The Characters…
Phoenix: Senior, Philosopher, Driven, Ambitious and completely unprepared for meeting Professor Sebastian Wicked. #CaughtOffguard
Phoenix broke my heart from the beginning of the prologue. He was pure and innocent, but he was also powerful and passionate. from his relationship with his late dad, to his relationship with Sebastian, he showcased a perfect Arch of growth and development.
Sebastian: Philosophy Professor, Grieving, Lonely and unaware that his life will forever be changed after meeting Phoenix. #UnderMySkin
Sebastian was larger than life in Phoenix's eye, he was a God, his very own Plato. In reality though, Sebastian was vulnerable and flawed. He needed Phoenix even more than Phoenix needed him... he needed Phoenix to heal him, resurrect him, erase his pains and fill his life with life and happiness.
The Plot…
Both characters find a kindred spirit in the other, connect at a molecular level and fall for each other’s mind and body. But Phoenix is a student, and Sebastian is his professor. Their relationship is forbidden with many obstacles but it is also inevitable. Little moments made their story unforgettable and larger moments made it memorable.#NoMatterWhat
The Romance…
It is romantic and sexy, slow and steady, organic and explosive. Phoenix brings light, laughter and love to Sebastian’s world, while Sebastian brings stability, strength and satisfaction. The give and take between Phoenix and Sebastian made all the difference. Even with Sebastian's alpha nature, the way he cherished Phoenix and was patient with him, was a way that showed that lust didn't guide him. Sebastian groomed him and empowered him, gave him the chance to grow and flourish. On the Other hand, Phoenix was the light, the childishness and the levity Sebastian needed to finally breakaway from his past . #PowerExchange
Steam-o-meter: HIGH, EXPLOSIVE, PANTY-MELTING HEAT! And what I loved was the pacing... how they didn't just fall into anal. ultimately, Phoenix was an 18-year old virgin, and he needed patience. #ColdShower
Angst-o-meter: Angsty!!! But... #ItHurtsSoGood
HEA: Hard-earned, moving and worth the wait. I loved the epilogue and it made my heart soar. The bonus scenes were just as important, just as moving and just as beautiful. #TheBeginningOfForever
This year, now that I'm doing more reviewing I've overhauled my review ratings somewhat. To get 5 stars it has to be something special, something I couldn't put down and that left me thinking about it once I'm finished. This is one I picked up myself, I didn't get a copy to read but the synopsis was just too compelling, although I was a little worried about how the subject would be handled, it's in real danger of being, for want of a better word, icky?
I needn't have feared though, it's all handled wonderfully. I started reading and knew a little bit in that I wasn't going to put it down until I'd finished.
In brief: Phoenix Michaelson idolised his philosophy professor father, who died when he was 10. Now he's 18 and following in his father's footsteps by taking an AP Philosophy class with the aim of studying it in college. The new AP teacher is Sebastian Wicked, and it's the story of how 2 lonely souls come together, essentially.
It's so well written, I could just see not only Phoenix and Sebastian, but the whole cast of supporting characters is so wonderfully realised, none of them felt like they didn't belong. I didn't hate any of them, which is a bonus. Even Phoenix's mum who I thought might be sidelined, got her due. None of this is to the detriment of the main story, which is Phoenix and Sebastian. It's essentially a tale of loss, grief, survivor's guilt and coming through all that stronger together in the end. Partly why I read so much romance is because I love a good HEA, and I was concerned I wouldn't get it with this. I'm also glad the author didn't have to use the 'outed by a fellow student and their lives fell apart because of it' trope, this was handled so well and I can't recommend it enough.
A deserved full 5 stars for my new rating system.
I needn't have feared though, it's all handled wonderfully. I started reading and knew a little bit in that I wasn't going to put it down until I'd finished.
In brief: Phoenix Michaelson idolised his philosophy professor father, who died when he was 10. Now he's 18 and following in his father's footsteps by taking an AP Philosophy class with the aim of studying it in college. The new AP teacher is Sebastian Wicked, and it's the story of how 2 lonely souls come together, essentially.
It's so well written, I could just see not only Phoenix and Sebastian, but the whole cast of supporting characters is so wonderfully realised, none of them felt like they didn't belong. I didn't hate any of them, which is a bonus. Even Phoenix's mum who I thought might be sidelined, got her due. None of this is to the detriment of the main story, which is Phoenix and Sebastian. It's essentially a tale of loss, grief, survivor's guilt and coming through all that stronger together in the end. Partly why I read so much romance is because I love a good HEA, and I was concerned I wouldn't get it with this. I'm also glad the author didn't have to use the 'outed by a fellow student and their lives fell apart because of it' trope, this was handled so well and I can't recommend it enough.
A deserved full 5 stars for my new rating system.
Oh, look! I finally managed to finish this one.
Um, so… unpopular opinion ahead, I guess, because it seems everyone and their grandma loved this book.
I did not. I liked the first half (or thereabouts) well enough — it was a bit too purple prosey, but I don’t mind that occasionally and I thought it would be a solid 4-star read. Around the halfway mark, though, I felt like the story started to drag and became somewhat repetitive. Likewise, in the beginning Phoenix seemed like a pretty interesting MC, but after a while, reading his philosophically-advanced POV became simply too exhausting for my apparently pea-brained self. Sebastian’s POV was similar in that aspect, only with more angst thrown in. Fun.
As you can expect, their love story was melodramatic AF. We can’t be together, we have to be together, but we can’t, etc, etc… And then, the author decided that this, this ‘plot twist’ would be a good idea? It was unimaginative, unoriginal, and — you got it — added even more angst to this story, so I guess it did its job…
I admit to skimming the last few chapters — which I never do — but I don't think I would’ve managed to finish this otherwise.
Um, so… unpopular opinion ahead, I guess, because it seems everyone and their grandma loved this book.
I did not. I liked the first half (or thereabouts) well enough — it was a bit too purple prosey, but I don’t mind that occasionally and I thought it would be a solid 4-star read. Around the halfway mark, though, I felt like the story started to drag and became somewhat repetitive. Likewise, in the beginning Phoenix seemed like a pretty interesting MC, but after a while, reading his philosophically-advanced POV became simply too exhausting for my apparently pea-brained self. Sebastian’s POV was similar in that aspect, only with more angst thrown in. Fun.
As you can expect, their love story was melodramatic AF. We can’t be together, we have to be together, but we can’t, etc, etc… And then, the author decided that this, this ‘plot twist’ would be a good idea?
Spoiler
That baby arc did nothing to improve the book, and it probably pissed off a lot of more sensitive readers.I admit to skimming the last few chapters — which I never do — but I don't think I would’ve managed to finish this otherwise.
“Our trials are what strengthen us. And we are unbreakable now, my love.”
Where do I being? How can I put into words how much I loved this book, how much it meant to me? How can I explain that I loved it not only because it’s the third book of one of my fav authors, and because this is not just a M/M romance, this is so much more?
The Boy who loved Wicked is basically a story about a student who falls in love with his teacher but, if you look for other things besides the age gap between them (which I as a bit wary at first), it gave us touching story of how two people fall in love in the most unexpected ways. How someone can really change the life of those around them, and ultimately, how the path of happiness is different for everybody.
Phoenix and Sebastian moved me to tears because both of them were lacking something. They both were grieving the loss of someone or something important to them, and even if the outside world was OK, they were not.
They begin as a teacher/student but they quickly build a friendship due to their kin spirits and interests. They challenge themselves but they also share new experiences that make them feel alive and worthy of love. They were craving for someone who could understand them and love them despite their flaws… and they found it in each other, so it was natural for them to fall in love with such intensity, such devotion. In simple words: their souls found each other.
“Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies”
A quote by a famous philosopher, among so many others in each chapter. And I couldn’t agree more. This is the very soul of this wonderful book and something I completely agree with.
I believe love can be found in different shapes such as family, friends and romantic relationships. We’re all made of the people who love us, who share the burden and the inevitable pain that comes with living… All those people and the experiences we share with them gave meaning to our lives. Those simple, sweet moments are what give us strength to keep moving on, to heal from our grieving… to decide to become who we always wanted to be.
C. P. Harris never ceases to amaze me. She knows how to write characters that feel real and who I deeply love and support. I just don’t love them because they’re in a relationship with each other. I love them because I’ve seen them struggle and ache. I know their fears and their obsessions. And, as a reader, there is nothing like getting into a book and be fully invested in a story and the characters within it.
For me, it was just one of those books that really changed something in me. It reminded me that you just know when you’re going to love someone. You feel it in your bones. And there is nothing or no one (not even them) who can change this fact. Your soul feels connected to theirs and something within you just clicks.
Anyway, I might not make much sense but I can tell you that I loved how Phoenix grew so much throughout the whole book. I loved the letters and journal entries Sebastian wrote. I loved how they understood and accepted each other but most importantly, I loved that they decided to be happy. And to share that sentiment with each other, with the promise of a new family, was just the best.
Last but not least, I couldn’t be more grateful that authors like C. P. Harris exist because they do get what it means to have someone who completely changes your world. And I need to have a physical copy of this new fav book!
PREVIOUS REVIEWS:
Surviving the Merge | Surviving the Break
Where do I being? How can I put into words how much I loved this book, how much it meant to me? How can I explain that I loved it not only because it’s the third book of one of my fav authors, and because this is not just a M/M romance, this is so much more?
The Boy who loved Wicked is basically a story about a student who falls in love with his teacher but, if you look for other things besides the age gap between them (which I as a bit wary at first), it gave us touching story of how two people fall in love in the most unexpected ways. How someone can really change the life of those around them, and ultimately, how the path of happiness is different for everybody.
Phoenix and Sebastian moved me to tears because both of them were lacking something. They both were grieving the loss of someone or something important to them, and even if the outside world was OK, they were not.
They begin as a teacher/student but they quickly build a friendship due to their kin spirits and interests. They challenge themselves but they also share new experiences that make them feel alive and worthy of love. They were craving for someone who could understand them and love them despite their flaws… and they found it in each other, so it was natural for them to fall in love with such intensity, such devotion. In simple words: their souls found each other.
“Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies”
A quote by a famous philosopher, among so many others in each chapter. And I couldn’t agree more. This is the very soul of this wonderful book and something I completely agree with.
I believe love can be found in different shapes such as family, friends and romantic relationships. We’re all made of the people who love us, who share the burden and the inevitable pain that comes with living… All those people and the experiences we share with them gave meaning to our lives. Those simple, sweet moments are what give us strength to keep moving on, to heal from our grieving… to decide to become who we always wanted to be.
C. P. Harris never ceases to amaze me. She knows how to write characters that feel real and who I deeply love and support. I just don’t love them because they’re in a relationship with each other. I love them because I’ve seen them struggle and ache. I know their fears and their obsessions. And, as a reader, there is nothing like getting into a book and be fully invested in a story and the characters within it.
For me, it was just one of those books that really changed something in me. It reminded me that you just know when you’re going to love someone. You feel it in your bones. And there is nothing or no one (not even them) who can change this fact. Your soul feels connected to theirs and something within you just clicks.
Anyway, I might not make much sense but I can tell you that I loved how Phoenix grew so much throughout the whole book. I loved the letters and journal entries Sebastian wrote. I loved how they understood and accepted each other but most importantly, I loved that they decided to be happy. And to share that sentiment with each other, with the promise of a new family, was just the best.
Last but not least, I couldn’t be more grateful that authors like C. P. Harris exist because they do get what it means to have someone who completely changes your world. And I need to have a physical copy of this new fav book!
PREVIOUS REVIEWS:
Surviving the Merge | Surviving the Break
A couple TWs for the book that so many people seem to be skipping over (this could be spoiler-ish):
- toxic relationship, definitely bordering on abusive
- explicit descriptions of something that could be interpreted as sexual assault
I'm dnf-ing at 70%. I do not condone the abusive, toxic relationship this turned out to be and I don't want to read another word of it. There's no coming back from what happened, no acceptable excuse that could be explained in the 30% I have left to read.
I do genuinely believe you can write teacher/student relationships (where the student is not a minor, ofc) without making the older character sound like a walking red flag and be abusive to the younger character.
I'm giving it 2 stars because the first part of the book was alright. I have no idea why this book has such a high rating but I'm not particularly surprised because as a society we do tend to romanticize abuse in fiction.
- toxic relationship, definitely bordering on abusive
- explicit descriptions of something that could be interpreted as sexual assault
I'm dnf-ing at 70%. I do not condone the abusive, toxic relationship this turned out to be and I don't want to read another word of it. There's no coming back from what happened, no acceptable excuse that could be explained in the 30% I have left to read.
I do genuinely believe you can write teacher/student relationships (where the student is not a minor, ofc) without making the older character sound like a walking red flag and be abusive to the younger character.
I'm giving it 2 stars because the first part of the book was alright. I have no idea why this book has such a high rating but I'm not particularly surprised because as a society we do tend to romanticize abuse in fiction.
All the stars! Beautiful, romantic, sexy, forbidden, heartbreaking. Just perfect.
This book is not a typical romance book that you should read just for the tropes. It’s so much more than that. This is truly nuanced and breathtaking. To open it up for any other reason than to have an incredible reader experience, is to cheapen the value and craftsmanship of this story.
Before we even get in, we are thrown into one of the most moving prologues/openers I’ve ever read. I was in tears by the end of that first chapter. The rest of the book is an absolute page turner that feels impossible to put down. The characters of Phoenix and Sebastian are so deep and real, I felt I could run into them at the store. The side characters are their own incredible feature and never a nuisance, but rather additional features you want more from. C.P. Harris is methodical in her writing and character creation, no word or phrase is arbitrary and everything is painstakingly thought out.
My struggle has been to not reread this immediately. This is a Top 5 books of 2021 and only one other book is sitting in that list currently. I am a harsh critic at times, I do not mince words, I don’t have the time nor do I want to develop carpal tunnel unnecessarily. So when I take the time to write a review like this it is because it was that good. It was that powerful.
If you’ve seen this book recommended over and over - there is a reason. There is an HEA, which I know is important to many. That’s not a spoiler as the author is clear about that. And the epilogues (because there are multiple) are incredible finishers to an outstanding book.
If you haven’t read this yet, I hope this review moves you to. If you haven’t read anything by C.P. Harris yet, then I hope this is the first of many.
Before we even get in, we are thrown into one of the most moving prologues/openers I’ve ever read. I was in tears by the end of that first chapter. The rest of the book is an absolute page turner that feels impossible to put down. The characters of Phoenix and Sebastian are so deep and real, I felt I could run into them at the store. The side characters are their own incredible feature and never a nuisance, but rather additional features you want more from. C.P. Harris is methodical in her writing and character creation, no word or phrase is arbitrary and everything is painstakingly thought out.
My struggle has been to not reread this immediately. This is a Top 5 books of 2021 and only one other book is sitting in that list currently. I am a harsh critic at times, I do not mince words, I don’t have the time nor do I want to develop carpal tunnel unnecessarily. So when I take the time to write a review like this it is because it was that good. It was that powerful.
If you’ve seen this book recommended over and over - there is a reason. There is an HEA, which I know is important to many. That’s not a spoiler as the author is clear about that. And the epilogues (because there are multiple) are incredible finishers to an outstanding book.
If you haven’t read this yet, I hope this review moves you to. If you haven’t read anything by C.P. Harris yet, then I hope this is the first of many.