The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
bekacrook's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
Wow, what a book. It felt raw and hopeful and so realistic. It had such a good mixture of pure romance with harder hitting themes.Â
I loved the characters and became fully invested in them. They were flawed but trying to improve, they really complimented each other and gave the other a perspective and push that they needed. Olan and Marvin were both complex characters that struggled with their own issues but that didn't outweigh their good and they saw the good in each other. They showed that there is good in everyone. I enjoyed Illona and Jill and the side characters added to the story in a meaningful way.Â
There were some difficult themes in this book - alcohol abuse, mental health difficulties, childhood trauma - but they were dealt with so well. They weren't trivialised or added in to make the characters seem 'interesting', they were given the proper depth and background needed without being the only thing we know about those characters lives. Really well done.Â
The romance in this story was lovely, there were some really sweet (and spicy) moments. Their relationship developed at a good (and not unrealistic) pace and showed Olan and Marvin to be funny, open, loving and relatively normal and relatable guys. Their relationship had some difficult moments but they felt soft and beautiful together. There was a level of normalcy in it as well which I really liked - they felt like they could be real people. There was small and big gestures but not over the top, impractical gestures which just made them appeal even more. They were a lovely couple and a cute little family together and that was shown frequently.Â
This book felt so hopeful and honestly made me cry at one point. I loved it.Â
I loved the characters and became fully invested in them. They were flawed but trying to improve, they really complimented each other and gave the other a perspective and push that they needed. Olan and Marvin were both complex characters that struggled with their own issues but that didn't outweigh their good and they saw the good in each other. They showed that there is good in everyone. I enjoyed Illona and Jill and the side characters added to the story in a meaningful way.Â
There were some difficult themes in this book - alcohol abuse, mental health difficulties, childhood trauma - but they were dealt with so well. They weren't trivialised or added in to make the characters seem 'interesting', they were given the proper depth and background needed without being the only thing we know about those characters lives. Really well done.Â
The romance in this story was lovely, there were some really sweet (and spicy) moments. Their relationship developed at a good (and not unrealistic) pace and showed Olan and Marvin to be funny, open, loving and relatively normal and relatable guys. Their relationship had some difficult moments but they felt soft and beautiful together. There was a level of normalcy in it as well which I really liked - they felt like they could be real people. There was small and big gestures but not over the top, impractical gestures which just made them appeal even more. They were a lovely couple and a cute little family together and that was shown frequently.Â
This book felt so hopeful and honestly made me cry at one point. I loved it.Â
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
tacoshark's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I found this a bit uneven. I really liked Marvin, the main character, but I found the romance a bit hard to buy into bc I couldn’t quite get on board with how wonderful the love interest was portrayed as - I found some of his actions a little emotionally manipulative in a way that made it hard to want to root for these two. The writing was pretty solid, though the editing needed some work. I have the next book in the series and will probably read it to see if I like that pairing better. (Btw the spice level on this book was WAY more than expected - I didn’t mind it but it was a lot.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Mental illness
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Miscarriage
theskyboi's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Up until now, I had never had the pleasure of reading a romance that spoke to my desires and sentiments as a gay man; M.A. Wardell changed that for the better. What can I say that hasn't been said before about this masterpiece?
Marvin Block is a gay, Jewish kindergarten teacher with an immense passion for the work that he does in shaping the minds of tomorrow's world. His journey toward becoming teacher of the year hits a slight bump in the road when his new student, Illona, and her father, Olan Stone, come into his classroom.
I felt so immediately welcomed into every setting in this novel. The author does an impeccable job of laying out the scenery in a way that almost had me checking real estate listings in Maine. Similarly, the dialogue is captivating, realistic, and structured, all of which helped me to sink into Marvin and Olan's world.
Emotions and eroticism are well within Wardell's wheelhouse. I was feeling grief, compassion, frustration, and arousal all throughout this book. The clarity with which I could see myself in these characters' shoes let me feel the weight of their experiences as men, as parents, and as professionals.
A further note on the erotic nature of the book... I loved it! I wouldn't say that it's for everyone, but I didn't realize that the physical intimacy would heighten my reading of a book in the romance genre. For those who feel a certain sense of realism lacking from MM stories, this author is your vindication.
Above all else, Wardell's mission to paint gay men and educators alike in complex, varied hues is a noble effort—and one he has achieved flawlessly. I look forward to seeing what comes in future stories within his growing body of work!
Marvin Block is a gay, Jewish kindergarten teacher with an immense passion for the work that he does in shaping the minds of tomorrow's world. His journey toward becoming teacher of the year hits a slight bump in the road when his new student, Illona, and her father, Olan Stone, come into his classroom.
I felt so immediately welcomed into every setting in this novel. The author does an impeccable job of laying out the scenery in a way that almost had me checking real estate listings in Maine. Similarly, the dialogue is captivating, realistic, and structured, all of which helped me to sink into Marvin and Olan's world.
Emotions and eroticism are well within Wardell's wheelhouse. I was feeling grief, compassion, frustration, and arousal all throughout this book. The clarity with which I could see myself in these characters' shoes let me feel the weight of their experiences as men, as parents, and as professionals.
A further note on the erotic nature of the book... I loved it! I wouldn't say that it's for everyone, but I didn't realize that the physical intimacy would heighten my reading of a book in the romance genre. For those who feel a certain sense of realism lacking from MM stories, this author is your vindication.
Above all else, Wardell's mission to paint gay men and educators alike in complex, varied hues is a noble effort—and one he has achieved flawlessly. I look forward to seeing what comes in future stories within his growing body of work!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Alcoholism, Mental illness, and Sexual content
nightgoesblack's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Sexual content
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Mental illness
ryeereads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Alcoholism, Pregnancy, and Addiction
Minor: Miscarriage
summermorning's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Mental illness
soficool5's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Just… woah. This was the easiest five stars of the year so far.Â
The writing was incredible and the characters were lovely. I adored the teaching scenes and those children were just so cute. Marvin’s friendship with Jill was amazing and as a teacher I appreciate the portrayal of the teacher bestie dynamic. We would not survive without one.Â
Oh and well… those sexy scenes. Damn 🥵🔥
Definitely in my top 3 favorite books ever 💛
The writing was incredible and the characters were lovely. I adored the teaching scenes and those children were just so cute. Marvin’s friendship with Jill was amazing and as a teacher I appreciate the portrayal of the teacher bestie dynamic. We would not survive without one.Â
Oh and well… those sexy scenes. Damn 🥵🔥
Definitely in my top 3 favorite books ever 💛
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcoholism and Mental illness
stardustandrockets's review against another edition
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Moderate: Addiction and Pregnancy
Minor: Blood, Infidelity, and Miscarriage
shelvesofivy's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Sexual content, and Mental illness
Minor: Abandonment
More...