Scan barcode
galleytrot's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
READ: Mar 2023
FORMAT: Audio
BRIEF SUMMARY:
In this contemporary romance, Elijah has worked hard to earn a full scholarship at his dream university in his quest to get away from his religious family back home. At King University, he can focus on his future without the looming pressure of a disapproving father and an unsupportive mother. Cole has landed a job offer at King as a professor in religious studies. When Eli and Cole’s paths collide, the attraction is instant and very quickly made complicated by their relationship as student and teacher.
ENTERTAINMENT VALUE: 3 / 5⭐
I didn’t dislike this book, but I don’t think I was in the correct mood for it at the time I picked it up. I’m having a difficult time writing up this review because, being perfectly honest, I didn’t retain much of what happened nor did I experience any strong feelings from any of the events.
Eli has to juggle being hot for teacher with keeping up his grades, staying financially secure, taking part of a research project, socializing with his new friends, and being an object of his roommate’s desire. Cole has a pretty full schedule, worries about his sister’s relationship and his mother’s health, and wants to move out of the faculty’s free housing as soon as he can.
Despite everything on their plates and despite knowing how much is at stake for the both of them, they still can’t seem to keep their hands off each other and continuously complicate things while insisting they shouldn’t.
TECHNICAL / PRODUCTION: 4 / 5⭐
I felt like the writing in this book was pretty good, even if I didn’t find the contents to be especially standout or memorable. There isn’t a whole lot of conflict in their relationship up until the final quarter of the book, just some threads of jealousy and the ever-present but vague sense of “we shouldn’t do this.” The spice was lovely and plentiful, and Eli never behaves underage or inexperienced in a way that makes me feel gross (the way some books do when an 18-year-old gets into it with a mature adult).
No complaints about North or Snow’s performances as narrators.
FINAL THOUGHTS - OVERALL: 3.5 / 5⭐
Yeah, I’m not sure what happened here. I don’t know if it was a me issue, an author issue, or some disconnect between us both. It’s an okay book and I don’t regret reading it, but I do wonder if there will ever be a moment where I find myself reflecting back on it or remembering something that happened in it.
This book has representation for gays, bisexuals, and potentially open/poly relationships, although it’s not an especially healthy open/poly relationship. If there was any representation in diversity, I did not clock it.
The following elaborates on my content warnings. These may be interpreted as spoilers, but I do not go into deep detail.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Cursing, Homophobia, and Alcohol
Minor: Car accident
More...