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The Lewis Brothers Series #1
The Teacher
In life, there are no certainties. Emma Hewitt finds herself facing a number of uncertain challenges as she tries to find her footing in the big city of Portland, Oregon. The safety and simplicity of the small town she once knew is a distant memory as she embarks on her toughest year of teaching in her young career. Her greatest struggle lies in the perplexing father-son combination of Marcus and Brayden Lewis. Marcus Lewis knows where he stands in the corporate world, but as a father, he is struggling. Raising his son alone is proving to be a challenge beyond his capabilities. Marcus's past has left him mistrusting and unwilling to ask for the help he desperately needs. Can Emma break through Marcus's stone exterior to get Brayden the help he needs or will Marcus stay buried in the shadows of his past?
311 pages, Paperback
First published June 13, 2013
1955 people are currently reading
797 people want to read
About the author
Meg Gray
8 books30 followersMeg Gray uses a small world approach when crafting her contemporary romance novels, tying minor characters from one story into another—demonstrating how intertwined our human lives really are. The city streets and country roads she takes you down aren’t necessarily a structured series, but the stories are connected. Within the pages, her readers will catch glimpses of some of their favorite characters again and again. This is a concept that mirrors itself in our everyday lives. Our worlds are much smaller than we realize, often times we are unaware of the way our lives intersect with those around us.
The best part is Meg’s books keep readers inside the small world she has created so they can enjoy a completely different story with each read. Start with any one of them and be treated to repeat appearances from some of her colorful characters. To get a behind the scenes look at more of the links between her books join Meg’s Insider Club to read exclusive bonus chapters.
The best part is Meg’s books keep readers inside the small world she has created so they can enjoy a completely different story with each read. Start with any one of them and be treated to repeat appearances from some of her colorful characters. To get a behind the scenes look at more of the links between her books join Meg’s Insider Club to read exclusive bonus chapters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
June 22, 2017
I thought it was a great little story filled with care for a child and what would be in his best interest as far as lessons are concerned.
February 23, 2018
Very enjoyable women's fiction/romance. It was a clean romance, but had enough going on with all the characters that I thought it crossed into the women's fiction category. I found it to be well written and error-free. While I could not really understand Meg's choice in friends, as they did not share the same morals, I did like Meg, and enjoyed watching the interactions with Brayden and Marcus. I quickly looked to see what else I could read by this author.
August 12, 2015
Sweet and nice story just moved to slow for me.
March 2, 2024
great story
Such a fun read! Teacher life, single life, and being the “go to” for her sister, this girl has her hands full. Until a serious uninvolved lawyer dad becomes the person she reluctantly has to be in contact with because his son needs help. The teacher he thought was annoyingly wrong about him and the dad she thought had his priorities out of check has a twist of fate in this story!
Such a fun read! Teacher life, single life, and being the “go to” for her sister, this girl has her hands full. Until a serious uninvolved lawyer dad becomes the person she reluctantly has to be in contact with because his son needs help. The teacher he thought was annoyingly wrong about him and the dad she thought had his priorities out of check has a twist of fate in this story!
September 28, 2013
Marcus Lewis is a focused lawyer dedicated to his craft; he’s also a single dad. His son Brayden has struggled in life, especially when it comes to school. Now in kindergarten he has been kicked out of multiple private institutions for his behavior and lack of social skills. At his wit’s end, Marcus goes against his high profile parents’ wishes and enrolls Brayden in a public school until he is able to find his son a more suitable academy. Within the first weeks of class, Marcus starts to receive messages from Brayden’s new kindergarten teacher, Ms. Hewitt. Unwilling to deal with more drama from his son, Marcus ignores the calls and buries himself in his work. Marcus’s determination to avoid his son’s problems will drive Emma Hewitt to push harder to help the sweet boy that she believes has tons of potential.
The Teacher is a beautiful story about healing old wounds, exposing yourself to new opportunities and learning that not everybody is out to get you. On the outside Marcus is an unresponsive father and all-around unpleasant man, but on the inside he’s desperate to keep the closet closed on his secrets and tries to use work as a way to avoid dealing with the pain from his past. While Marcus is more like the desert sun, harsh and unforgiving, Emma, is more like a beautiful spring day, full of hope and determined to brighten the world. The dynamic that author Meg Gray creates between the two characters was very refreshing and believable. In so many contemporary romances the chemistry between the main characters is rushed and lacks the slow, subtle build that is more realistic. Watching all of the characters growing and learning to appreciate what each other had to offer made for a lovely read that pulled at my heart strings.
The Teacher does a great job of showing the reader that teachers aren’t just for the classrooms. We all need someone to help guide us to be better than we are.
(This book was provided to Compulsion Reads for review by the author.)
The Teacher is a beautiful story about healing old wounds, exposing yourself to new opportunities and learning that not everybody is out to get you. On the outside Marcus is an unresponsive father and all-around unpleasant man, but on the inside he’s desperate to keep the closet closed on his secrets and tries to use work as a way to avoid dealing with the pain from his past. While Marcus is more like the desert sun, harsh and unforgiving, Emma, is more like a beautiful spring day, full of hope and determined to brighten the world. The dynamic that author Meg Gray creates between the two characters was very refreshing and believable. In so many contemporary romances the chemistry between the main characters is rushed and lacks the slow, subtle build that is more realistic. Watching all of the characters growing and learning to appreciate what each other had to offer made for a lovely read that pulled at my heart strings.
The Teacher does a great job of showing the reader that teachers aren’t just for the classrooms. We all need someone to help guide us to be better than we are.
(This book was provided to Compulsion Reads for review by the author.)
October 14, 2022
A lovely story
I really liked the character descriptions, such as Marcus, when he was the very busy lawyer, too rushed to read or answer school messages. Ms Hewitt was also beautifully described. Caring, responsible and compassionate, she knew her job and her young students.
Stacy and Luke were similar characters, convinced their immoral lifestyles were the best way, while minding their friends' business for them, interfering in everything personal.
Marcus's parents were unbelievably arrogant, haughty snobs, who spent no time getting to know Braydon, their little grandson who was suffering from PTSD after surviving a housefire his drugged mother had started. They said derogatory patronising things about Ms Hewitt's chosen career while dictating to Marcus what they required him to do. I enjoyed it when he refused and demanded respect for the teacher.
Healing came to Marcus and his son quickly when the gentle kindergarten teacher showed love to Brayton, and he responded to her first. His father soon followed his son's example. I would have loved to read more.
I really liked the character descriptions, such as Marcus, when he was the very busy lawyer, too rushed to read or answer school messages. Ms Hewitt was also beautifully described. Caring, responsible and compassionate, she knew her job and her young students.
Stacy and Luke were similar characters, convinced their immoral lifestyles were the best way, while minding their friends' business for them, interfering in everything personal.
Marcus's parents were unbelievably arrogant, haughty snobs, who spent no time getting to know Braydon, their little grandson who was suffering from PTSD after surviving a housefire his drugged mother had started. They said derogatory patronising things about Ms Hewitt's chosen career while dictating to Marcus what they required him to do. I enjoyed it when he refused and demanded respect for the teacher.
Healing came to Marcus and his son quickly when the gentle kindergarten teacher showed love to Brayton, and he responded to her first. His father soon followed his son's example. I would have loved to read more.
May 28, 2021
Me ha gustado más de lo que esperaba. No es la típica novela de hombre exitoso que se enamora de una mujer del montón. Aquí la parte más importante de la novela se centra en el desarrollo de Brayden, un niño con problemas que ha pasado por varios colegios privados hasta que llega a la escuela pública de Emma. Allí vemos al conjunto tan dispar de estudiantes que conforman sus clases, vemos la dificultad del día a día con los padres y esos niños que requieren una atención especial.
Marcus es más un padre desbordado por la situación de criar a un hijo él solo y con la constante duda de si lo estará haciendo bien o mal.
La historia central es el desarrollo de la relación entre Emma y Marcus pero toda la ambientación relacionada con la escuela está tan bien tratada que lo convierte en una novela dulce y que invita a seguir leyendo. Me ha llamado la atención la historia del hermano de Marcus, seguramente la leeré también.
Marcus es más un padre desbordado por la situación de criar a un hijo él solo y con la constante duda de si lo estará haciendo bien o mal.
La historia central es el desarrollo de la relación entre Emma y Marcus pero toda la ambientación relacionada con la escuela está tan bien tratada que lo convierte en una novela dulce y que invita a seguir leyendo. Me ha llamado la atención la historia del hermano de Marcus, seguramente la leeré también.
November 16, 2020
This was an easy read, but it is a heartwarming story about overcoming the uncertainties of life that may be thrown our way. In this novel, Emma is an elementary school teacher who sees her role as a way of giving hope and security to students who struggle.
Marcus is a father who is struggling with his own tragedies and feels like raising his son alone is beyond his capabilities. Emma embarks on the journey to break Marcus' hard emotional shell and to help him see his son's intellectual strength and find a way for both of their emotional healing and bonding.
I am a retired educator, so this was a sweet story that reminded me of the impact of loving and caring teachers who treat each student as a prized individual. It is about love, understanding, perseverance, and forgiveness.
Marcus is a father who is struggling with his own tragedies and feels like raising his son alone is beyond his capabilities. Emma embarks on the journey to break Marcus' hard emotional shell and to help him see his son's intellectual strength and find a way for both of their emotional healing and bonding.
I am a retired educator, so this was a sweet story that reminded me of the impact of loving and caring teachers who treat each student as a prized individual. It is about love, understanding, perseverance, and forgiveness.
February 23, 2018
Charming
book with wonderful characters, even the ones who start out rough to like. This book flows quickly and thankfully, it is well written and edited! The heroine is a young kindergarten teacher who puts 150% into her students. Her biggest challenge is a young boy with many learning disabilities that are undiagnosed. The first half of the book is spent solving that problem and the last half is the educational resolution of this young boy’s many problems. A bit of romance, lots of family strife and drama and a backdrop of Portland/Seattle round out this enjoyable read.
book with wonderful characters, even the ones who start out rough to like. This book flows quickly and thankfully, it is well written and edited! The heroine is a young kindergarten teacher who puts 150% into her students. Her biggest challenge is a young boy with many learning disabilities that are undiagnosed. The first half of the book is spent solving that problem and the last half is the educational resolution of this young boy’s many problems. A bit of romance, lots of family strife and drama and a backdrop of Portland/Seattle round out this enjoyable read.
April 3, 2022
I really enjoyed this story. It was a quick read that had so many cute points in it. Emma is a Kindergarten teacher who truly tries to help every child in her class. One of her students, Brayden, is struggling and when Emma tries to reach out to the father, Marcus, she has a hard time connecting with him. Things happen and eventually, Emma and Marcus do connect and their lives change. A cute story with some romance and understanding of how past happenings can impact so many lives.
September 29, 2022
I loved reading about Emma, Marcus and Brayden. Emma is a great teacher, and I liked how she worked with him and got him the help he needed. I'm not sure I would totally call it a clean story due to how her friend Stacy basically only thought about sex and was constantly doing it with multiple partners. I couldn't see why Emma remained friends with her after college because Emma is not like that at all and Stacy is always trying to set her up with guys. Great ending.
November 1, 2025
A "You can't put it down book".
I so, so much loved reading "The Teacher". It has been a long time since I have been so much enthralled with such a wonderful, lovely story. The compassion and warmth of the characters was heart warming! Whenever I wanted to escape the events going on in the news, I just picked up the book " The Teacher", sat in my favorite chair by the fireplace and just enjoyed reading!!
I so, so much loved reading "The Teacher". It has been a long time since I have been so much enthralled with such a wonderful, lovely story. The compassion and warmth of the characters was heart warming! Whenever I wanted to escape the events going on in the news, I just picked up the book " The Teacher", sat in my favorite chair by the fireplace and just enjoyed reading!!
March 6, 2018
A great romantic read without the heat x. Well done Meg Gray x.
I choose to give this book 5 stars because it's very well written, the characters are well rounded and believable x. If you get a strong like or dislike for one of the books characters then you know the author has done a great job x.
I choose to give this book 5 stars because it's very well written, the characters are well rounded and believable x. If you get a strong like or dislike for one of the books characters then you know the author has done a great job x.
March 26, 2018
Great characters.
Emma the teacher helps Marcus the single father of Brandon a 6 year old . Recognise that his son needs help with his academic ability and the root cause of what is holding Braydon back. Emma spends the summer bringing the child along with his schoolwork. Marcus and Emma develop feelings for each other. A safe warm book no sex or bad language .
Emma the teacher helps Marcus the single father of Brandon a 6 year old . Recognise that his son needs help with his academic ability and the root cause of what is holding Braydon back. Emma spends the summer bringing the child along with his schoolwork. Marcus and Emma develop feelings for each other. A safe warm book no sex or bad language .
November 18, 2020
Good fun read
Marcus and his son Brayden have moved to Portland for a fresh start. Emma is Brayden's teacher. As she reaches out to help Brayden with his learning issues she has a hard time connecting with Marcus. Can the two come together to help Brayden with his PTSD and find common ground for themselves
Marcus and his son Brayden have moved to Portland for a fresh start. Emma is Brayden's teacher. As she reaches out to help Brayden with his learning issues she has a hard time connecting with Marcus. Can the two come together to help Brayden with his PTSD and find common ground for themselves
May 17, 2022
I was a teacher for 38 years and when I saw the title, I could resist. It is a sweet romance between a kindergarten teacher and a single parent if a child in her classroom. A happily ever after with a very rocky start. A surprise at the ending I certainly wasn’t expecting. I enjoyed the story very much.
December 20, 2025
I loved that this book started in a classroom with such a kind teacher, Emma Hewitt. She loves her students, and even when it’s hard to reach some of them, she tries. Brayden is one of those students. He struggles, his father is distant and doesn’t respond to Ms. Hewitts attempts to discuss Brayden.
Slowly, Marcus starts to trust and listen to Emma’s ideas on how to help Brayden.
Slowly, Marcus starts to trust and listen to Emma’s ideas on how to help Brayden.
November 19, 2017
Simply lovely
What was there not to love about this book? Meg Gray had a real understanding of what it is like to be an educator, the work involved and how they do know their students! One book I will read again.
What was there not to love about this book? Meg Gray had a real understanding of what it is like to be an educator, the work involved and how they do know their students! One book I will read again.
December 30, 2019
Excellent and clean!
Being the husband of a public school teacher and administrator I can relate to the issues in this book. The love and commitment of Emma what Braydon needed the most. His life was scarred and his father Marcus was at his wits end. Opposites do often attract.
Being the husband of a public school teacher and administrator I can relate to the issues in this book. The love and commitment of Emma what Braydon needed the most. His life was scarred and his father Marcus was at his wits end. Opposites do often attract.
April 19, 2020
Easy
The idea of this story was good. It lacked a little depth, the main characters never really discussed their history which made the slow burn a little hard to comprehend. Easy read though.
The idea of this story was good. It lacked a little depth, the main characters never really discussed their history which made the slow burn a little hard to comprehend. Easy read though.
August 15, 2020
This reading teacher appreciated the author's authentic glimpses into a kindergarten classroom: children's emotional trauma, parent-teacher conferences, the immense responsibility of field trips, the joy of helping young children, and the school's intervention team.
February 1, 2021
This book while not riveting was pretty good. It was the story of a single father who had hardened his heart and his son's teacher who taught them both about the ability to open themselves up to things other than their pain.
February 3, 2021
This was a very good story...enjoyed it and couldn't read it fast enough
See Above. Five stars. Would recommend you read this book. It's so nice to have a good c lean story. 5***** stars.
See Above. Five stars. Would recommend you read this book. It's so nice to have a good c lean story. 5***** stars.
March 10, 2022
Helping the Children
Emma was a kindergarten teacher, both as her job and her love. When Brayden became her student he was hostile and defiant. Marcus was his busy lawyer father. Emma soon tried to get Marcus more involved with Brandon's education.
Emma was a kindergarten teacher, both as her job and her love. When Brayden became her student he was hostile and defiant. Marcus was his busy lawyer father. Emma soon tried to get Marcus more involved with Brandon's education.
October 10, 2022
I loved this touching story. Emma really drew me in as a teacher myself I loved how she was determined to work and get help for her student. Overall, it is a well written story with dynamic characters that made it worth reading.
November 6, 2022
Cute
Its really cute, but I do wish they didn't get together at the very end without hearing about a wedding. It would have been more magical to read what was happening when he called her mom for the first time. But it was a great book.
Its really cute, but I do wish they didn't get together at the very end without hearing about a wedding. It would have been more magical to read what was happening when he called her mom for the first time. But it was a great book.
June 30, 2023
4 stars slow burn romance. It was a sweet and clean romance.
Hero-Marcus ( a Father who has a son with a disability/PTSD)
Heroine-Emma-The School teacher who faces many challenges at finding love and make you believe the power of love.
Hero-Marcus ( a Father who has a son with a disability/PTSD)
Heroine-Emma-The School teacher who faces many challenges at finding love and make you believe the power of love.
December 21, 2025
A great idea but
I really struggled to like any of these characters. The story line had potential but Marcus was so self absorbed for so much of the story and Emma kept dreaming about Seth. Not a great read.
I really struggled to like any of these characters. The story line had potential but Marcus was so self absorbed for so much of the story and Emma kept dreaming about Seth. Not a great read.
December 24, 2025
Enjoyable but highly predictable
My headline says it all. In all fairness, the author nailed it regarding the process and procedures for having a child referred for testing in the public school setting.
My headline says it all. In all fairness, the author nailed it regarding the process and procedures for having a child referred for testing in the public school setting.
June 6, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews