*new adult romance*
**explicit scenes and language**
Junior in college. Star athlete. Constant attention from the opposite sex.
On this campus, I’m worshiped. While seven hundred miles away, back in my hometown, I’m still trailer park trash, child of the town tramp, and older sibling to three kids who are counting on me to keep my shit together so I can take them away from the same crappy life I grew up in.
These two opposing sides of myself never mix until one person gets a glimpse of the true me. I never expected to connect with anyone like this or want more beyond one night. This may be the real deal.
Problem is, Dr. Kavanagh’s my literature professor.
If I start anything with a teacher and we’re caught together, I might as well kiss my entire future goodbye, as well as my family’s, and especially Dr. Kavanagh’s. Except sometimes love is worth risking everything. Or at least, it damn well better be because I can only resist so much.
-N. G.-
I wanted a perfect ending. Now I’ve learned, the hard way, that some poems don’t rhyme, and some stories don’t have a clear beginning, middle, and end.
Have you ever read a book that you simply couldn’t put down for the life of you? A book that was so wonderfully written, it not only completely drew you into the story…it made you feel? I’m talking made you feel every heart palpitation, pulse pounding, anxious, nail biting, so full of sexual tension you think you might burst moment along with the characters? Because I swear to you, that’s what this book did to me. I devoured it. Me! The girl that lives for my dirty smut and actually does a search for the word “cock” in my books to make sure it’s dirty enough. (What? You don’t do that?) I got so engrossed in this forbidden love story that I forgot about the smut. Well…I mean…not entirely. It IS NA after all, and the sexual chemistry here is just perfect.
My favorite part of a love story is that burn. You know the one I’m talking about. It’s this palpable sexual tension that stretches for so long you think you might burst. But then BOOM, when it finally does happen, it’s just that much more satisfying. There’s plenty of books out there that will use sex as a filler, as opposed to the icing on the cake that’s supposed to be the book. And in my humble opinion, Linda Kage had the perfect recipe here. I adored this book. I loved it. HARD.
If you’ve stayed away from teacher/romance stories in the past, but wanted to dip your toes, THIS is the book the you start with. This was such a unique, wonderfully written spin on a forbidden love. There wasn’t a big age difference (barely any). But what I loved the most, was that the student here was (pause for dramatic effect) MALE.
Ladies, prepare to swoon and fall hard for Noel Gamble.
Noel seemingly has it all; he’s the star quarterback, has his pick of women, and a scholarship to a great university. All he has to do to keep it is make sure that he maintains his GPA. But there’s one problem that stands in his way; a problem of the 5 foot 4, green eyed, uptight bitch, yet slightly alluring variety. His Literature professor, Dr. Kavanagh.
There’s nothing better to me than a book where I fall for both the characters. Dr. Kavanagh may have come off rigid and bitchy at first, but her internal monologue never failed to make me smile. She had such a quirky and endearingly innocent personality, it was impossible not to love her.
But beneath her frumpy clothing and uptight exterior, is a vulnerable young girl that finds herself attracted to someone that is most certainly forbidden.
The way both of them constantly fought the attraction between them kept me turning the pages in anticipation for that moment where one or both of them would finally give in.
Noel wasn’t your typical manwhoring jock, but so so much more. He was utter perfection. he was this delectable combination of sweet, vulnerable, and sexy.
The chemistry that between him and Aspen are slowly brewed to the point where it’s practically boiling. Gawd but it was delicious. It was simply lust, it went so much deeper.
As hard as both of them fight the attraction, it soon proves too strong for both of them. But the way that it’s written never made it seem illicit or dirty. And the vulnerability of both these characters is what truly captivates you.
“We might not stand a chance, but I can’t stop thinking about you. I can’t stop craving that connection we share. It’s so fucking strong, I’ve been willing to… God, I would do anything for little stolen pieces of you, Aspen.
The book kept me on the edge of my seat equal parts waiting for and dreading that moment for the other shoe to drop. Linda Kage teases and tortures you with different hints of how it may all go down. But I can honestly say that the way it did, I never saw coming.
I went through a ringer of emotions; I swooned, I cried, my heart hurt. It was simply wonderful. I’m not sure how it is that I’m only now discovering this author, but I’ll be rectifying this immediately by reading Price of a Kiss (especially since both the characters from that book make an appearance here).
I’m so happy that Linda will be continuing this series with Pick’s book next. I’m already salivating to get my grabby little hands on that book.
But let’s sum it up with this; do I recommend this book?
FUCK. YES.
I can’t recommend it enough. Read it and experience for yourself what sent me into a gushing fangirling episode.
LISA JAYNE’S REVIEW
When I got the opportunity to read and review this up and coming novel I can gladly admit that I was more than just a little excited, in fact I was nothing short of ecstatic. ‘Price of a kiss’ was one of my favourite reads of last year and it started an addiction to an author that I knew I could no longer ignore. ‘To professor, with love’ is a novel that is deliciously tempting with an edge of taboo that I’m sure will make most readers enjoy their time spent with this novel. I’m certainly impressed once again by Linda Kage, here’s the rest of my thoughts …
What’s it all about?
Popular and talented star quarterback, Noel Gamble works hard, lives his dream and will do anything to provide for those that he loves most. He is determined that everything he has worked for must amount to making a new life for his siblings that he has left back in his hometown, a ugly life that he wants them all to escape from. Dr Aspen Kavanagh is a professor that is not as confident as her stern attitude and ugly business suits would suggest, inside is a woman begging to be loved and after living a loveless life nothing could be more tempting than an attraction that feels like it could be more. When aspen and Noel’s lives collide they could never have anticipated that they would find what they need in each other, but with everything on the line this couple have to make the decision to give into temptation or walk away from a undeniable connection that could forever change their lives.
What did I love?
Firstly, I love this authors writing style. I think by now it’s obvious that I’m a fan of the talented, Linda Kage. This author always manages to take me away on a love-story journey that is easy to escape into and equally easy to love. ‘To professor, with love’ was filled with romance, steam and forbidden love with a twist of heart break and depth that made it a charming story. The characters were believable and easy to read about. There’s no mistaking that this author has a talent for writing heroes that make the heart go faster and this time around she kept the humour at bay with her vulnerable and ever so charming heroine. Everything about the story line and developing story was well thought out and I even had a delightful second chance look into the lives of Mason and Reese from book one which certainly didn’t harm the enjoyment factor. The chemistry and slow burn build up towards the attraction scored points for my reading experience and it certainly wasn’t an anti climax once the characters finally made the decision to get down and dirty. I also adored the quotes that Linda added into the book at the beginning of each chapter and throughout the story, I found myself looking forward to what would come next, it’s adorably clever that each quote connected somehow to the content of the chapters. Overall this book was a winning combination of love, romance, steam and storyline, Linda Kage has done it again readers.
Why not five?
This book most certainly had five star quality stamped all over it, there were moments that I adored and I was highlighting my treasured kindle like crazy but with that being said as much love as I have for Linda Kage and her forbidden men series when I compared this novel to the first book in the series ‘Price of a Kiss’ it didn’t quite reach the same enjoyment level. I felt like I missed out on the humour, wit and laid back writing style of book one and sadly I didn’t connect to the storyline as much as I have with this authors previous novels. However, this book still reached a loveable four star status and I haven’t got much to complain about. Linda Kage writes books that I’ll always reach out to read and I’m more than happy that I spent my time with this heartfelt story about love being found in forbidden places. I’d whole heartedly recommend this novel to those that have enjoyed this authors previous work and if you are new to this author, then do not think twice about reading this likeable story and meeting a hero that will unquestionably stay in your heart.
Final thoughts …
As a reader I never gravitate to towards stories involving teacher/student relationships, but here Linda Kage has created a story that captured my affection and love. I never felt uncomfortable with the authors content, instead she got me wrapped up in a love story that left me wanting more. This is a series that I’m excited to see develop and I’m more than ready to read more about this authors addictive characters. If you like to fall for the heroes in your books and you enjoy the new adult genre then this series should not be missed. Go grab this book on release day I can guarantee you will not regret time spent with the delicious, Noel Gamble. Enjoy … Kisses.
Curious about what’s next for the Forbidden Men series? Read on for a special guest post from Linda Kage
And don’t forget to enter the giveaway for your chance to win an ebook copy of To Professor, With Love
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