The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
rosetokar's review against another edition
2.5
I thought I'd love this book, and I really wanted to, it was recommended with high praise, but this just wasn't the book for me at this time. 2 main reasons, first the writing felt very juvenile and cheesy (think hallmark movie) and for an adult book I just don't want cheesy anymore.Â
Second, this book has a big storyline dealing with alcoholism and recovery, which I didn't know going in. I feel like the book should have a content warning about that, especially since there were several scenes where the main character is triggered relating to that topic. If the main character gets triggered, wouldn't you think maybe some of your audience would be as well?Â
I finished reading only cause I bought the book and I'm not wasting money on a DNF.Â
Second, this book has a big storyline dealing with alcoholism and recovery, which I didn't know going in. I feel like the book should have a content warning about that, especially since there were several scenes where the main character is triggered relating to that topic. If the main character gets triggered, wouldn't you think maybe some of your audience would be as well?Â
I finished reading only cause I bought the book and I'm not wasting money on a DNF.Â
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism
jordanez's review
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism
amandalorianxo's review
reflective
slow-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? Yes
2.0
This took me a long time to finish. This feels oddly obvious that this was a debut. How? By the heavy amounts of specific word and phrase repetition that was irksome the more we read. The amount of times Olan blushes and calls Marvin adorable was slightly nerve wracking. Also, as a teacher, the way the Teacher of the Year was set up didn’t make any sense. Parents can’t nominate teachers, it’s run by staff at the school. Also… funding is not related to this ? There were just some teacher aspects that took me out of the story. The way Olan and Marvin get together didn’t feel believable. Also Marvin probably should have invested in therapy before getting into a relationship after Adam. He clearly had of internal baggage and it wasn’t fair to blame Olan or use his anxiety as a crutch.Â
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Addiction and Alcoholism
20sidedbi's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Alcoholism
Moderate: Abandonment, Blood, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Infidelity
slee907's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism
atlastheninth's review
emotional
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
This was so lovely, everything about this made me happy.Â
Sometimes when reading a book I dread reading on because I know something bad will happen, because the story needs it. But not here. It was so cute and you know that everything will be perfect by the end and I am in love. I’m usually not a contemporary reader, let alone contemporary romance but here I am. I loved every second of it. It was so nice and easy to read, I devoured this book.Â
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcoholism 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