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misha_ali's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
An enjoyable slow-burn romance with a heavy focus on literary references and back and forth between a TA and a Professor in the Literature department.
alma_k's review
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
sapphic_lit_atl's review
5.0
"The Roads Left Behind Us" by Kat Jackson is a beautifully written novel. It should be illegal to be this deft at using language to captivate a reader. This age-gap romance unfolds on the backdrop of a college campus, where Callie, a determined and focused graduate teaching assistant with no time for distractions, especially in the realm of dating, falls for Dr. Kate Jory, a brilliant and enigmatic member of the English department at Pennbrook College.
This is a character-driven novel -- the two protagonists really shine throughout the plot, along with well-crafted side characters. Warning: This book will make you cry. It has evolved in me some emotions that I didn't know I could feel!
This is a single POV story, so while the mysterious nature of Kate's character is intriguing, readers don't get to see or feel the trepidation in Kate's side of the story. I took it as a tiny, itsy, minor drawback in an otherwise engaging narrative.
Despite the age gap between Callie and Kate, the story is not too out of reach because of their professions and the world of academia in general. All in all, this book gets a solid 5/5 from me-- I really enjoyed the book's character depth, writing style, and the overall romantic narrative.
This is a character-driven novel -- the two protagonists really shine throughout the plot, along with well-crafted side characters. Warning: This book will make you cry. It has evolved in me some emotions that I didn't know I could feel!
This is a single POV story, so while the mysterious nature of Kate's character is intriguing, readers don't get to see or feel the trepidation in Kate's side of the story. I took it as a tiny, itsy, minor drawback in an otherwise engaging narrative.
Despite the age gap between Callie and Kate, the story is not too out of reach because of their professions and the world of academia in general. All in all, this book gets a solid 5/5 from me-- I really enjoyed the book's character depth, writing style, and the overall romantic narrative.
jennabeebs79's review
4.0
If you’re looking for a sapphic read set in scholarly academia with witty dialogue, sizzling chemistry, and a couple of steamy scenes then this is a good pick for you! Kate and Callie connected the second Callie’s TA interview began. As someone who resides close to Rehoboth and Lewes, I very much appreciated the beginning of that scene! Probably the best part of this book was the multitude of dynamic supporting characters. Without their scenes, interactions, and intervening, this book would have been quite boring. Fortunately for Callie and Kate, their friends kept their story rolling.
I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
neencohen's review against another edition
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This is a slow burn, age gap, work place romance.
Having only one POV made it so much more interesting and surprising as things shift and change as we learn more about the other characters, usually when Callie finally finds out about it, almost always as the last person to know.
There are so many other characters that a few times I got lost as to who was who, but never for very long.
I adore Kat Jackson's way with words and her fantastic humour that shines in this book. I guffawed many times while listening to Lila Winters' narration.
The steam, when it arrives is mighty fine indeed. It's a brilliant balance between enough detail and holding back just enough so it didn't feel like an instruction manual.
The writing really was magnificent and I rather enjoyed the insights into the world of academia through the perspective of a TA.
I also LOVE that Callie is in her 30's and still trying to figure out what the hell she is doing with her life.
Everything about this book felt real, the characters, the worlds Callie inhabits, and her mind and heart fighting against each other as they try to work through the hot and cold Dr Kate Jory.
Having only one POV made it so much more interesting and surprising as things shift and change as we learn more about the other characters, usually when Callie finally finds out about it, almost always as the last person to know.
There are so many other characters that a few times I got lost as to who was who, but never for very long.
I adore Kat Jackson's way with words and her fantastic humour that shines in this book. I guffawed many times while listening to Lila Winters' narration.
The steam, when it arrives is mighty fine indeed. It's a brilliant balance between enough detail and holding back just enough so it didn't feel like an instruction manual.
The writing really was magnificent and I rather enjoyed the insights into the world of academia through the perspective of a TA.
I also LOVE that Callie is in her 30's and still trying to figure out what the hell she is doing with her life.
Everything about this book felt real, the characters, the worlds Callie inhabits, and her mind and heart fighting against each other as they try to work through the hot and cold Dr Kate Jory.
claire60's review
4.0
Whizzed through this in a day, couldn't put it down. I enjoyed the exploration and description of the US university TA to professor training and the focus on obscure literature. The character development was well thought out and there were good friendships portrayed which I always enjoy. The romance was believable, had tension and was fun to follow.
With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
00leah00's review
5.0
This is another book i had to read twice because I read it in March but didn’t get around to reviewing.
“The Roads Left Behind Us” by Kat Jackson is an age-gap romance set mainly on a college campus. This isn’t a student-teacher relationship but it is between a graduate teaching assistant and a professor, though not a professor she’s assisting.
Callie Lewes is 34 when she decides to go back to her alma mater to get a PhD. In her interview to become a teaching assistant she meets new faculty member, Kate Jory. Kate is 50 and very mysterious as she’s more private than the other English professors, who Callie already knows from her previous time at the school.
I absolutely loved this book! This a character driven book so it was all about the characters for me. I loved Callie and Kate and all the side characters that surround Callie. This is told from her point of view and by the end of the book she felt like a friend. Everyone felt real and imperfect and I just really enjoyed them. (Jackson has also revealed she’s writing Dr. Renee Lawler’s story and I can’t wait.)
However, I think my favorite thing about this was the writing. Jackson is gifted and knows how to bring a story to life, there were several instances where I would go back and reread a sentence just because I loved it so much.
There was one thing that I didn’t love and that was how mysterious Kate was. She’s a very private person and Callie (and the reader) doesn’t get a whole of insight into her. Things are either left unsaid or vague and when we do learn stuff, it’s not a lot. I still very much enjoyed her character but I would’ve liked to know more about her past and what led to her moving to New Hampshire.
I loved this and would highly recommend it to fans of character driven stories that are beautifully told.
I received an arc from Bella Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
“The Roads Left Behind Us” by Kat Jackson is an age-gap romance set mainly on a college campus. This isn’t a student-teacher relationship but it is between a graduate teaching assistant and a professor, though not a professor she’s assisting.
Callie Lewes is 34 when she decides to go back to her alma mater to get a PhD. In her interview to become a teaching assistant she meets new faculty member, Kate Jory. Kate is 50 and very mysterious as she’s more private than the other English professors, who Callie already knows from her previous time at the school.
I absolutely loved this book! This a character driven book so it was all about the characters for me. I loved Callie and Kate and all the side characters that surround Callie. This is told from her point of view and by the end of the book she felt like a friend. Everyone felt real and imperfect and I just really enjoyed them. (Jackson has also revealed she’s writing Dr. Renee Lawler’s story and I can’t wait.)
However, I think my favorite thing about this was the writing. Jackson is gifted and knows how to bring a story to life, there were several instances where I would go back and reread a sentence just because I loved it so much.
There was one thing that I didn’t love and that was how mysterious Kate was. She’s a very private person and Callie (and the reader) doesn’t get a whole of insight into her. Things are either left unsaid or vague and when we do learn stuff, it’s not a lot. I still very much enjoyed her character but I would’ve liked to know more about her past and what led to her moving to New Hampshire.
I loved this and would highly recommend it to fans of character driven stories that are beautifully told.
I received an arc from Bella Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
caffeinated_library's review
4.0
I received a free arc from netgalley in return for an honest review.
This book managed to age-gap (16 years) troupe, professor-TA and forbidden romance in such a respectful manner while maintaining a strong and welcoming light academia atmosphere.
Callie’s return to academia is shaken with the introduction of Dr. Kate Jory. The path to discovering if their suitable or not is one which I’ve throughly enjoyed. They’ve showed how important communication and allowing your heart to open up is. This is easily a 4 star read.
This book managed to age-gap (16 years) troupe, professor-TA and forbidden romance in such a respectful manner while maintaining a strong and welcoming light academia atmosphere.
Callie’s return to academia is shaken with the introduction of Dr. Kate Jory. The path to discovering if their suitable or not is one which I’ve throughly enjoyed. They’ve showed how important communication and allowing your heart to open up is. This is easily a 4 star read.
shereadstales's review
emotional
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.0
Thanks to Netgalley and Bella Books for the digital galley of this book.
Callie Lewes is a little late working on her PhD, but she’s made it back to school and determined to finish. Since she’s older than her fellow candidates and has a history with the school, she’s friends with one of the professors and friendly with most of the English department. There’s a new professor in the department, though, but Callie is determined to ignore the allure of Dr. Kate Jory. She’s brilliant, and Callie is thrilled for the opportunity to work with her, but that’s it. There can’t be anything else. No kisses, no sex, and definitely no relationship. As Callie and Kate work more closely together and their attraction grows, the rules might be a little tough to follow.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I’m a sucker for a college campus romance. Throw in an older-younger dynamic, and I simply swoon. I loved Callie (and somewhat identified with her), even when her wishy washiness annoyed me at times. Kate was a formidable romantic interest, and her smarts were super attractive to me. I loved their chemistry and the slow burn build of their attraction. It was the perfect distraction from my own academic woes as I tried to get through yet another semester of grad school in my own, never-ending program. Highly recommend for a quick and steamy read.
penandpages's review against another edition
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content