Dr. Margaret Morgan

by Christy Hadfield

When freshman Tess Stanford starts her required chemistry lab, she discovers the infamous Dr. Morgan—the professor everyone loves to hate. Brilliant but brutal, Dr. Morgan’s impossibly high standards and cold demeanor have made her the terror of the science department.

But, Tess argues, the professor is kind of cute…

Despite Dr. Morgan’s cruel behavior, Tess sees something intriguing. Until a classmate falls victim to Dr. Morgan’s ruthless methods. Tess confronts the devil on campus and risks it all, including her academic future—and possibly her heart.

Genres: Lesbian, Academia, Contemporary

286 pages, Paperback

Published February 18, 2025

Reviews

[Lesbereading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Margaret Morgan was the first book I’ve read by Christy Hadfield and I really enjoyed it. I loved the dynamic between Margaret and Tess, and how Tess was the perfect match for Margaret. The side characters were great as well and added to the story. Also, be ready for spice! I didn’t see it coming and it was steamy. There was one heavy part close to the end that I didn’t think was necessary to bring in that close to the finish of the book or it should’ve been in it sooner. I won’t go into specifics because if you read it you may not agree with me.

Thank you to the publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Lady Olenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me just catalogue the tropes I’ve encountered in this book before I begin:

-age gap
-ice queen
-grumpy x sunshine
-very light bdsm
-domme x sub
-sub = switch = brat

Age gap, ice queen, grumpy sunshine sapphic novels are a dime a dozen. What makes Dr Morgan by Christy Hadfield memorable is the humour infused in the story. The character’s antics were amusing, coupled with the above tropes, altogether coalesced into an enjoyable reading experience.

There were a few instances, in some pockets of the story, where the flow staggered and dragged a bit but the emotions the story elicited covered it up. In addition, the point of conflict between the main characters, the outburst, was a little out of character for that person to have acted that way, just imo. Her emotional blow up made her out as immature, which the author established she wasn’t from the beginning of the story. It was mildly confusing.

Overall, Dr Morgan was an easy and fun read. I consider it one of those books that’s cute and not easily forgotten.

[Isha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading this book, and I honestly loved it. The writing was captivating, and the whole experience was so immersive that I didn’t want it to end. There’s something about the way the author crafts the tone and atmosphere that really stuck with me. I found myself completely drawn in, and it’s one of those books that stays with you long after you’ve closed the cover. Highly recommend it!

[currentlyreadingbynat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Dr. Margaret Morgan—it surprised me in the best way. Early on, I wasn’t sure Margaret could win me over—she’s cold, condescending, and honestly so awful early on in the book. But, I think that’s what made her slow transformation so satisfying. Watching Tess patiently chip away at her icy walls was both frustrating and rewarding, and the build-up really paid off once the chemistry started crackling between them. The story is spicier than I expected, with some genuinely steamy moments that made the slow burn worth the wait.

What really worked for me was how the age gap and power imbalance were handled. As Tess wasn't Margaret’s student, the dynamic allowed Tess to challenge her. Their back-and-forth felt natural and balanced, and I loved that Tess never let Margaret get away with bad behaviour. Despite Margaret’s tough exterior, their connection grows in a way that feels earned and believable as the book goes on. I also appreciated the little flashes of humour and tenderness sprinkled in—they gave the story heart.

I loved the academic setting, and the side characters helped round out the story without overshadowing the romance. While Margaret remains the standout, I would’ve liked a little more depth to Tess’s background. Still, the pacing felt right, and by the end, I was fully invested in their relationship. If you love an ice queen, age-gap, slow-burn romance with satisfying spice and emotional payoff, this one is absolutely worth picking up. I'm looking forward to what Hadfield releases next.

Many thanks to Bella Books for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

[Sue Plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

would like to thank the publisher for letting me read and review this book

well i have to say i thoroughly enjoyed this book

dr margaret morgan works at a university and she has quite the reputations thoroughly deserved... she doesnt suffer fools gladly and her voice is often heard shouting out her disdain.....

what an ice queen she is....

but when a student charges into her room and sits down to eat her lunch though margaret has done all she could to get rid of this student to no avail it becomes a habit....

there are some very funny moments in this book with a serious side as well... how quick we are to judge others and never look behind the reasons why.... will be interesting in reading more of this authors books when they come out....

[Fiona Sawyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I definitely have mixed feelings about this this book. Overall I enjoyed it and would give it 4 stars. However, it did take me quite some time to get into the story.

Dr Margaret Morgan is an extremely grumpy professor who is hated by everyone due to her reputation for being impossibly demanding in her expectations for her students as well as constantly yelling at everyone around her. In fact, she has pretty much terrorised the entire science department. Then, along comes Tess Stanford, a freshman who manages to sense that there might just be another side to the grumpy professor...if only she can find a way to coax it out.

My biggest struggle with the plot line is that, from my experience working in tertiary education, much of the behaviour that occurs in this story would not be tolerated by most institutions and disciplinary action would ensue. However, once I switched off the ‘practical’ side of my brain I was able to settle into the story and actually enjoyed seeing the little glimpses of the caring side to Dr. Morgan gradually appearing thanks to Tess’ dogged persistence with trying to crack the rock-hard walls that Dr. Morgan had put up around her.

I really enjoyed the range of side characters who help to bring this story to life, from Tess’ dorm friends to the other academics who are quite willing to judge Dr. Morgan based on the rumours that they’ve heard and from witnessing her appalling behaviour. However, even they start to see that perhaps there is a softer side to the grumpy professor emerging, even if they don’t initially understand where the change is coming from.

One word of warning, this is definitely one of those stories where you can find yourself wanting to bang the two MC’s heads together and just yell “just talk to each other, will you??????” (I know I certainly did) so if you can’t stand these kinds of stories, you may want to give this one a miss. However, if you love steamy stories about melting Ice queens, in an academic setting and can cope with the angst, definitely consider giving this one a go.

I am grateful to Christy Hadfield and Bella Books for providing me with an advanced copy of Dr. Margaret Morgan. I am leaving this review voluntarily and all opinions are my own.

[Unpopmary · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25

A pleasant surprise! I'll definitely be waiting for Christy's next release!

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Misha · Rating 5 out of 5]

(rounded up from 4.5)

This was really fun! I love a good ice queen and Margaret is a solid one. I love a story where we slowly see the wearing down of resistance to opening up to people and falling for the person who makes you want to open yourself up again so of course I really enjoyed this one. Would recommend for a fun story about a professor who falls for a grad student (not her student or department, so no power imbalance and not against the rules of the university) and slowly finds all the walls she put up being worn down.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Morgan 💗💗💗
Lean a está mujer!!

[Violet · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 - sapphic, contemporary, university, biology/chemistry departments, age gap, grumpy/sunshine, professor/student. Fun and spicy read! I’m a sucker for grumpy/sunshine pairings (since that describes my own relationship with my wife) so I was a big fan of Tess and Margaret’s dynamic! Margaret could be a bit over-the-top mean at times in the beginning of the book, but she grew on me as the story went on, and she ended up being the more memorable MC for me. The other characters were enjoyable as well, particularly the other professors. I do wish some of the serious conversations near the end of the book had happened earlier or that we got a couple more chapters of HEA, but that’s my nitpick.

[WaveBrave · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I had to sum up this book in one sentence, I’d say: “Half of it’s a PhD in dodging any conversation about feelings and the other half is a case study filled with unrealistic behavior and one ridiculous subplot that should be locked away for female's safety.

2.75 ⭐

[Women Using Words · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christy Hadfield combines the ice queen, professor-student, and age-gap tropes to create her new novel, Dr. Margaret Morgan. It’s a compelling narrative that captivates readers’ attention by exploring the complex emotional dynamics involved in each of the tropes. This storyline weaves these elements seamlessly, offering a rich foundation for a romance. Furthermore, the interplay of these tropes provides an opportunity to delve into the motivations and vulnerabilities of both characters, making their journey toward HEA feel authentic, layered, and deeply engaging.

At the heart of this narrative is Dr. Morgan. She embodies the quintessential ice queen with turbo power. Brilliant, accomplished, and commanding respect within her academic field, she exudes authority but at the same time is feared for her unrelenting harshness. Her cold demeanor and impossibly high standards align perfectly with the ice queen trope, however, her behavior is not driven by cruelty for its own sake. Instead, it stems from a complex backstory that hints at emotional wounds and unspoken fears. This depth transforms Dr. Morgan into more than a stereotype, allowing readers to see glimpses of humanity beneath her icy exterior.

Tess, a biology student at the university, becomes intrigued rather than intimidated by Dr. Morgan’s facade, setting the stage for a compelling romance. Tess’s persistent curiosity with Dr. Morgan gradually uncovers a warmth hidden within Dr. Morgan’s guarded heart. The relationship between the women develops slowly; Dr. Morgan and Tess share small, ordinary moments as their paths cross at school-related functions, allowing trust to form over time. Hadfield’s slow-burn approach respects Dr. Morgan’s cautious nature and makes her emotional breakthroughs more impactful.

The student-professor dynamic introduces an inherent power imbalance that heightens the stakes in the storytelling. Dr. Morgan wields significant influence in the biology and chemistry departments, creating tension that permeates personal exchanges between them, at least initially. In most academic settings, a student/professor relationship would be unacceptable. However, Hadfield’s story world operates under different rules. Since Tess is not under age or under Dr. Morgan’s tutelage or supervision, the university has no objections concerning their relationship. Therefore, Tess’s assertiveness and willingness to challenge Dr. Morgan ensure that their relationship evolves on an equal footing. Once readers accept that, they realize Tess is portrayed as neither submissive nor deferential but as someone who matches Dr. Morgan’s intellect and determination in her own right. This dynamic is crucial because it provides a shift in their connection, fostering mutual respect and understanding.

The age-gap trope is handled with nuance and subtly interwoven into the narrative via the professor-student relationship. Tess, though youthfully optimistic, is not naïve or overly idealistic; instead, she critically evaluates Dr. Morgan’s harsh methods with an understanding there’s a story behind the walls Dr. Morgan has built. As she gets to know her, she displays thoughtful patience, breaking down Dr. Morgan’s walls in the process. This delicate portrayal enriches the narrative and avoids reducing their dynamic to hero-worship, ensuring that both characters are presented as fully realized individuals with agency.

Because Dr. Morgan is so icy, Hadfield takes care to make the romance worthy of investment. She carefully scripts scenes that display a subtle warmth within Dr. Morgan’s persona. These moments hint at her growing affection towards Tess, giving the romance credibility. On top of that, Hadfield uses the inciting incident to create organic romantic tension, also facilitating believability. Cumulatively, her crafting choices lay the groundwork for a slow build, ensuring that the romance feels progressive and earned rather than contrived.

Final remarks…

Ultimately, this story is successful because it centers on the characters and their emotional growth, rather than using clichés. As readers explore the relationship between Dr. Morgan and Tess, they get to see not only the challenges they face building a relationship but also how much they grow and change along the way. With its creative take on themes like power, control, vulnerability, and respect, Hadfield makes this romance engaging. The dynamics between these captivating ladies make for interesting chemistry and easy entertainment.

Strengths…

Icy ice queen
Interesting character dynamics
Likable leading ladies
Interesting supporting characters
Compelling romance
3.75 stars

[Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an enjoyable story that brings a few classic tropes to the forefront. Dr. Margaret Morgan is the classic ice-queen. She is a brilliant professor with exacting standards and little tolerance for others, especially underclassmen. Along comes Tess Stanford as a freshman in Dr. Morgan’s class. Instead of being fearful of the yelling professor she challenges herself to be exact in her work to get the grade she deserves. Once out of Dr. Morgan's class, Tess becomes T.A. in the Biology department. She is often in the science building where Morgan has her office. She again sets herself up to the challenge of befriending the icy professor which leads to more. There is a big age gap between the pair. I don’t remember Morgan’s age being mentioned but she attended college in the 1990s. In my college the relationship would have been taboo. But in the author’s world it isn’t forbidden as Tess is no longer in Morgan’s class or under her direction.

I love the subtle humor of Tess being able to call Margaret out on her behavior towards others. Something she would not tolerate from other individuals. Of course I was frustrated by the lack of communication between the two. But I love how the relationship evolves slowly over the four years in the book. Some other professors and Tess’s friend group add a little to the story but the pair carry the lion's share of the plot. While I did feel I got to know Dr. Morgan well, Tess was more of a mystery to me. Her background and family is minimally mentioned. I enjoyed the pacing of the story and was good with where the story ends. But I was left curious as to what a future would look like for the pair.

If you enjoy Ice-queens and age gap relationships this is a very fun read. Thank you to Bella Books and the author for an ARC and I am leaving an honest review.

[Bee Sherrard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tess Stanford, chemistry major, was just starting her journey through university, when she first met Dr.Margaret Morgan, well not actually met but seen from across the campus. Tess, from the first, was attracted to Dr.M but getting close enough to actually interact was not that easy. Dr. M didn’t like freshmen because in her words, they aren’t worth her time. Too young, to stupid.
Dr. M has always avoided the students, all students, regardless of what they were studying. Once getting her heart broken was enough so when she required company she only had one-night-stands. If you don’t get too close you won’t be hurt, period.
Tess soon learned of Dr. M was not liked at all. Most students were terrified, just the thought of interacting with her scared them. It’s not until Tess continues to come to her office regularly that Dr. M starts to thaw out a bit. Mind you Dr. M didn’t want to be bothered, especially with Tess. Dr. M tried to keep away too, but once she was hooked….well.
First book I’ve read by Ms. Hadfield but I’m sure it won’t be the last. A story that takes four years but is really paced perfectly. One of those books you won’t want to put down. Very, very enjoyable read.
ARC via Bella Books

[Leonie · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — Sharp, sexy, and satisfying

A very enjoyable and fast-paced read with great writing! I absolutely loved the characters — Margaret is a perfectly written ice queen, she is the perfect blend of composed, commanding, and secretly vulnerable, and her dynamic with Tess crackles from their very first interaction. Their chemistry is immediate and believable, drawing you in and making it easy to root for them from the start.

The romance in general is not only emotionally satisfying but also seriously hot! The Dom/sub sex scenes were incredibly well done and spicy ♡

The side characters really added to the story too, making the whole experience even richer.
While there were a few moments where the pacing stumbled slightly, overall it was a pleasant, spicy and satisfying read that had me hooked from beginning to end.

Definitely recommended if you enjoy ice queen romances with heat and heart.

[Bugs · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! I'm beside myself with utter glee because I found myself another new lesfic author to watch out for!!! Their name is Christy Hadfield, readers!! Pay attention to their work, I'd say! But for now, feast thy eyes upon their latest work, "Dr. Margaret Morgan."

Ohhh...am I glad I picked this one up to read it immediately even though I never heard of Hadfield before. But thanks to Bella's constant promo about them and their book on FB and IG, it finally caught my attention one day when the buzzwords, i.e. "chemistry," "enemies-to-lovers," "age gap," "scientists" happened to zoom past my dash! But not before its book cover, which screamed academia (my absolute love!), that really piqued my curiosity! So naturally, I just had to click the link to read the synopsis. Then there was the author's note (always very useful when gauging who the author is when they're new/unknown to me). I was gobsmacked after reading their very personal account of their experience at their own workplace which, not surprisingly, was in a lab. Yep, writing what you know is the most effective way of personalising the story so it gives the reader a sense of authenticity. In this instance, Hadfield delivers!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Margaret! She's one big ICE! A closet TEDDY BEAR, is what she is!! She's all prickly on the outside but oh-so warm and fuzzy on the inside!! Oh, just you wait until you find out WHY she's so keen on staying all sub-zero and unthawed! Hadfield, you're a genius!

And Tess! Aww...she's positively RELENTLESS!!

Their chemistry? DEVILISH!

Both MCs are geniuses at everything bio-chem, but when it comes to matters of the heart, they each have to navigate their way to each other's. Along the way, they go through many hilarious shenanigans but also some somber moods that come at them whether they like it or not! And the secondary characters just ups the game. Great camaraderie and chemistry.

All in all, "Dr. Margaret Morgan" is a sizzlingly intelligent, delightfully devilish TREAT for us who adore ice queens, esp those neurodivergent, academic types who just liven your spirits and tickle you pink with their unrelenting but adorable haughtiness! I'm about to read it for the 2nd time. It’s just absolutely FANTASTIC!

If you’re a fan of the ever-intriguing, fun, usually hilarious, ice queen, enemies-to-lovers, the always-thrilling age-gap, and the always-sizzling teacher-student tropes, I bet you'd LOVE this book!

A Must-Read!

[Gab · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably the best prof/student book I’ve ever read. The way you built their relationship - brick by brick: amazing! I’m actually impressed with how you were able to balance the sex and the intimacy between the two. It never felt casual and the tension could be felt in every letter. The chemistry was off the charts from the moment they met.

Besides the romance, I also love the way you built the friendships between and among all the side characters and the MCs.

This book is a balm to my heart. I’m glad I found this and read it. Looking forward to reading more books by you!

PS I hope Amy would have a book!

[KJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did I impulse buy this book and read it in one sit the day it came? Yes. Do I have any regrets? Absolutely not!

This book has everything I love in a Sapphic romance. Age gap, an ice queen older woman, slow burn with enough tension to keep me invested, great banter, and good spice. I’d put it at about 4/5 chilis for the spice level. So many of my favourite tropes wrapped up in one perfect book.

It will be one of the books I come back to over and over.

The only thing that I would have liked to see happen differently is the pacing of the conclusion. This is most likely a me thing though because I couldn’t get enough of it!

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was hesitant to read this book due to it being a college freshman and a professor aka power imbalance also possibly wild age gap but I think Hadfield did a wonderful job regarding those topics. Tess was not a student of Margaret thus having no input on her grades and while there is an age gap, Margaret's age was never talked about so in my mind I had her around late 20s early 30s (which probably was not accurate LOL, and still a wild gap for a college student, college professor).
I really enjoyed this book overall!

[Kexx · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this one. Moved forward realistically, the journey of a repressed academic who finally blossoms under the surprising tutoring of a student. Recommended. Another winner from Bella Books.

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book, loved the growth of the chatacters.

[Mariana · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.7

[KT · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75

[Ashtid D · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book, well written

[jacqueline εїз · Rating 4 out of 5]

i loved them together, i wish there was a sequel

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy heck

This book is absolutely perfect. I am amazed how good this story is. I am so happy I bought this and it's worth the money. Very highly recommend.