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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
5 stars
"There's nothing wrong with being shabby and small. Hobbits are shabby and small and look how badass they are. Plus, second breakfasts for the win"
About a year-ish ago, I read Penny Reid's Truth or Beard, and *unpopular opinion alert* I kind of lowkey hated it. Really not a fan. So basically I wiped my hands of anything Penny Reid and moved on in the world of NA romance.
But then....
I read Beard Science (cause Cletus, duh), and enjoyed it.
And then....
I read Dating-ish (because it was 99 cents on Amazon. Don't judge me), and basically devoured it.
And now....
I'm basically Penny Reid trash
Her writing style has come MILES AND KILOMETERS since Truth or Beard. I found myself laughing more than anything at Kissing Tolstoy because it was SO DAMN FUNNY. Luca and Anna's awesome, sizzling, angsty, wonderful chemistry aside, this was such a fun book. I loved all the little nerdy references, and also Reid's own thoughts on Russian Lit. I am not, nor will I ever be, an aficionado on classic literature, but I have read enough to have my own opinions. I enjoyed this look into Reid's own mind, basically challenging some of my ideas and thoughts I've had about certain Russian characters (coughAnnayouskankcough). Anywho. It's probably pointless at this stage to say I'm going to be binge reading basically everything of Reid's now.
Also, THAT SNEAK PEEK FOR THE NEXT PROFESSOR BOOK OMG I'M GONNA DIE WAITING FOR THE WHOLE THING ARRRGGGHHHHH!!!
"There's nothing wrong with being shabby and small. Hobbits are shabby and small and look how badass they are. Plus, second breakfasts for the win"
About a year-ish ago, I read Penny Reid's Truth or Beard, and *unpopular opinion alert* I kind of lowkey hated it. Really not a fan. So basically I wiped my hands of anything Penny Reid and moved on in the world of NA romance.
But then....
I read Beard Science (cause Cletus, duh), and enjoyed it.
And then....
I read Dating-ish (because it was 99 cents on Amazon. Don't judge me), and basically devoured it.
And now....
I'm basically Penny Reid trash
Her writing style has come MILES AND KILOMETERS since Truth or Beard. I found myself laughing more than anything at Kissing Tolstoy because it was SO DAMN FUNNY. Luca and Anna's awesome, sizzling, angsty, wonderful chemistry aside, this was such a fun book. I loved all the little nerdy references, and also Reid's own thoughts on Russian Lit. I am not, nor will I ever be, an aficionado on classic literature, but I have read enough to have my own opinions. I enjoyed this look into Reid's own mind, basically challenging some of my ideas and thoughts I've had about certain Russian characters (coughAnnayouskankcough). Anywho. It's probably pointless at this stage to say I'm going to be binge reading basically everything of Reid's now.
Also, THAT SNEAK PEEK FOR THE NEXT PROFESSOR BOOK OMG I'M GONNA DIE WAITING FOR THE WHOLE THING ARRRGGGHHHHH!!!
I really enjoyed Luca's personality, but felt like there could've been more pages from his pov. Anna was fine, sometimes she acted assertively towards a situation, and then all of sudden she seemed immature (like when she stressed about Luca being 39.. Chill out, he's not that old like he could be your grandpa
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Penny Reid became one of those romance writers that whatever she writes, I will without a doubt read. However, I did not feel the same connection with this book as I did with the Winston Brothers series. It's still a pretty decent and funny book, BUT...the student-professor thing isn't my trope, considering the fact that I am a teacher and I find the idea concerning. Lol. I will definitely recommend it if you are looking for a quick read and some intense builtup in the process...and a hot professor with a bowtie.
challenging
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
All right, I was hoping this would be a slow burn because he's her professor. And that's the entire concept. But honestly, because I am (at least in the eyes of my students), a professor, I just got the squick. At the age of 30, I'd expect what's-his-name to be able to keep it in his pants and be able to actually talk to what's-her-name, lay things out front as soon as possible, and then wait. until. the. end. of. the. semester. He didn't, and I don't care if he got a mediator or not; it should have happened immediately and without all of this sex in his office. Oh, and I don't think they should have had sex in the office either.
My opinion is colored by the fact that I am in academe and in a position of power with a very similar age gap. The book feels like the "it's ok because he's hot" trope.
My opinion is colored by the fact that I am in academe and in a position of power with a very similar age gap. The book feels like the "it's ok because he's hot" trope.
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I really did not like this book. It was very awkward, not well-written, and just not good.
The story follows Anna, who realizes that her new Russian Lit professor, Luca, is the man who she had an awkward date with months before. There will be some spoilers in this review.
It seemed like the author had a few scenes in mind, and made up random nonsensical transitions to get from one scene to another. There is a scene where she gets eaten out in his office, and then has to take a shower because her weird quirk is that she has to shower immediately after sex?? So Luca invites her to his apartment and just decides he doesn't want sex anymore, he wants to get to know her. And then fast forward two months, they go back to the office and have sex again. It was just weird to have two sex scenes in the same setting, it's like the author REALLY wanted the office sex fantasy, but it just got boring.
Also, Luca is so confusing. It's like he's supposed to come off as a cold, mysterious yet sexy Edward Cullen-like character. But he's secretly a romantic. But he's also lowkey mean to Anna for the first part of the book. So why was he asking Anna about the fish was cooked at her restaurant early on in the book? What was the point of that?
The sex scenes were also awkward and terrible. They were described in a way that was too literary and did match the tone of the book and made the scenes less sexy. And the characters talking during the sex scenes were not sexy at all. One of the biggest turn offs was Anna saying something like "So are we actually doing this?" Before they have sex for the first time.
Also, my absolute biggest gripe with the book. The main characters didn't have a real conversation until the EPILOGUE of the book. The story ends as soon as the characters date. They barely interacted throughout the entirely of the novel, and just as we get crumbs, the book ends.
It sucked.
The story follows Anna, who realizes that her new Russian Lit professor, Luca, is the man who she had an awkward date with months before. There will be some spoilers in this review.
It seemed like the author had a few scenes in mind, and made up random nonsensical transitions to get from one scene to another. There is a scene where she gets eaten out in his office, and then has to take a shower because her weird quirk is that she has to shower immediately after sex?? So Luca invites her to his apartment and just decides he doesn't want sex anymore, he wants to get to know her. And then fast forward two months, they go back to the office and have sex again. It was just weird to have two sex scenes in the same setting, it's like the author REALLY wanted the office sex fantasy, but it just got boring.
Also, Luca is so confusing. It's like he's supposed to come off as a cold, mysterious yet sexy Edward Cullen-like character. But he's secretly a romantic. But he's also lowkey mean to Anna for the first part of the book. So why was he asking Anna about the fish was cooked at her restaurant early on in the book? What was the point of that?
The sex scenes were also awkward and terrible. They were described in a way that was too literary and did match the tone of the book and made the scenes less sexy. And the characters talking during the sex scenes were not sexy at all. One of the biggest turn offs was Anna saying something like "So are we actually doing this?" Before they have sex for the first time.
Also, my absolute biggest gripe with the book. The main characters didn't have a real conversation until the EPILOGUE of the book. The story ends as soon as the characters date. They barely interacted throughout the entirely of the novel, and just as we get crumbs, the book ends.
It sucked.
Such a fun read! I enjoyed reading it in Penny's eNewsletter titled as Nobody Looks Good in Leather Pants, where I to eagerly awaited each new chapter every month (Such torture! But it also gave me something to look forward to . . . ). Love the humor, dynamic, and the quick wit of both Anna and Luca. Getting to read the whole story all at once (with some added extras) was great! Looking forward to Penny's next monthly installment eNewsletter story Nobody Looks Good Naked for 2018.
Love!
This was a wonderful story pulling me along as much as the H&H we trying to avoid being pulled together. I can't wait for me!
This was a wonderful story pulling me along as much as the H&H we trying to avoid being pulled together. I can't wait for me!