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willa_reads_books's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
4.0
very cute. handles emotionally heavy topics in a very realistic manner
aris_bookshelf's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.25
miajastitcher's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
krispyaustin's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
jndsouza's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
vanishedknights's review against another edition
4.0
“Why can’t someone simply make all my tough life decisions for me?”
I was worried about reading this book. There were so many mixed reviews, many people not liking it, but a lot who did so I was nervous I’d be wasting my time. I’m glad to report I enjoyed this. This was a super cute easy low angst sugar sweet book about a Jewish kindergarten teacher and a single father. Olan was a super cute, super dork who I really liked, and his daughter Illona was just as cute. Their relationship was adorable. Marvin and his relationship with all his students was also really precious. I’m not a huge kid person in real life but something about kids in books (I don’t have to listen to them cry) doesn’t bother me. I enjoyed the classroom time with them and Marvin. I also enjoyed the relationship between Marvin and Olan. Though they said they would take it slow,I think they don’t know the meaning of it lol . This book is about opening yourself up to love and dealing with childhood trauma and anxiety and being in recovery. And I think Marvin could have dealt with a lot of his shit better, I’m glad to see he is trying and making a plan on working on himself for himself and for his loved ones. I really wanted to see more of their relationship after the big “conflict” but alas books hardly ever do that. Though they have another book together so I could always read that. I enjoyed this a lot, it had good characters, good sex (not a lot) and made me laugh. I recommend it if you’re looking for a little happy time as a buffer between more emotionally taxing reads.
I was worried about reading this book. There were so many mixed reviews, many people not liking it, but a lot who did so I was nervous I’d be wasting my time. I’m glad to report I enjoyed this. This was a super cute easy low angst sugar sweet book about a Jewish kindergarten teacher and a single father. Olan was a super cute, super dork who I really liked, and his daughter Illona was just as cute. Their relationship was adorable. Marvin and his relationship with all his students was also really precious. I’m not a huge kid person in real life but something about kids in books (I don’t have to listen to them cry) doesn’t bother me. I enjoyed the classroom time with them and Marvin. I also enjoyed the relationship between Marvin and Olan. Though they said they would take it slow,I think they don’t know the meaning of it lol . This book is about opening yourself up to love and dealing with childhood trauma and anxiety and being in recovery. And I think Marvin could have dealt with a lot of his shit better, I’m glad to see he is trying and making a plan on working on himself for himself and for his loved ones. I really wanted to see more of their relationship after the big “conflict” but alas books hardly ever do that. Though they have another book together so I could always read that. I enjoyed this a lot, it had good characters, good sex (not a lot) and made me laugh. I recommend it if you’re looking for a little happy time as a buffer between more emotionally taxing reads.
readingwithtemperance's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
I loved this book for a multitude of reasons. I'm queer, I've worked in education (hi fellow paras!), and I have an alcoholic parent. This book was pretty personal for me to say the least.
Teacher of the year showed me how much I miss working with children. My heart absolutely soared watching Marvin teach. I loved hearing all of the off the wall things the kiddos said and watching them learn. Marvie truly goes above and beyond for his classroom.
The relationship between Marvin and his mother is one I know well. Constantly dreading phone calls, never wanting to be around them, the resentment eating uo your heart and mind, the residual anxiety concerning alcohol. Especially with not wanting to drink yourself. This aspect of the story definitely gave me a new perspective though. Which I'm so grateful for.
I loved his relationship with Olan. They're so sweet together and balance eachother well.It brought me so much joy to see their happy ending and becoming a family.
This book was such a true representation of what it's like to work in education. I loved the humor and sweet moments throughout so much. And all of the raw ones too. Teacher of the Year has my whole heart. I can't wait to continue the series.
Teacher of the year showed me how much I miss working with children. My heart absolutely soared watching Marvin teach. I loved hearing all of the off the wall things the kiddos said and watching them learn. Marvie truly goes above and beyond for his classroom.
The relationship between Marvin and his mother is one I know well. Constantly dreading phone calls, never wanting to be around them, the resentment eating uo your heart and mind, the residual anxiety concerning alcohol. Especially with not wanting to drink yourself. This aspect of the story definitely gave me a new perspective though. Which I'm so grateful for.
I loved his relationship with Olan. They're so sweet together and balance eachother well.
This book was such a true representation of what it's like to work in education. I loved the humor and sweet moments throughout so much. And all of the raw ones too. Teacher of the Year has my whole heart. I can't wait to continue the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Moderate: Addiction and Pregnancy
Minor: Infidelity, Miscarriage, and Blood
hamalee's review against another edition
3.5
I read Mistletoe & Mishegas first, but these books seem fine to read out of order.
The main couple is lovely and the relationship development is great, and I appreciate tackling messy brain weasels for both. I am forcefully letting go of how wildly inappropriate the relationship is, whether or not there's an actual rule about. And I can't believe there's not. But I am a strong Don't Eat Where You Shit person.
It is also wholly unbelievable that someone as wealthy as Olan put his daughter in public school, period. He claims it's for the diversity so he chose...Maine? Seriously? Portland might be the biggest city in the state, but Illona is definitely still going to be the only Black kid in her class her entire school career. Just...make up another reason. Um, other than the vibrant recovery community. Because, also not.
Oh and these MCs are too young for all these Elder Millennial/Gen X references, but I love them.
But I still enjoyed it and look forward to Husband of the Year.
The main couple is lovely and the relationship development is great, and I appreciate tackling messy brain weasels for both. I am forcefully letting go of how wildly inappropriate the relationship is, whether or not there's an actual rule about. And I can't believe there's not. But I am a strong Don't Eat Where You Shit person.
It is also wholly unbelievable that someone as wealthy as Olan put his daughter in public school, period. He claims it's for the diversity so he chose...Maine? Seriously? Portland might be the biggest city in the state, but Illona is definitely still going to be the only Black kid in her class her entire school career. Just...make up another reason. Um, other than the vibrant recovery community. Because, also not.
Oh and these MCs are too young for all these Elder Millennial/Gen X references, but I love them.
But I still enjoyed it and look forward to Husband of the Year.