The Class She Skips: A Single Dad Christian Romance

by Ella Marie

Enzo’s life is carefully constructed—any time not spent working is devoted to his daughter, teaching her what it means to live as a true Christian. So when he accepts a temporary teaching position at his old college, he doesn’t expect to run into the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen—again. Charlie, the coffee shop culprit who taught him never to forget a lid, is now his student.

Falling for her isn’t just wrong; it goes against the second chance he’s been given. Unable to ignore the growing feelings he can’t afford to act on, he builds wall after wall to keep her out of reach.

Charlie’s days are a tightrope walk between assignments and financial struggles, with her faith getting the short end of the stick. The only sure things in her life are her best friends and the ever-growing stack of books she needs to read.

When she discovers her new Intro to Biology professor is the mysterious man she once collided with—and never expected to see again—it’s too late. She’s already falling for Enzo and his daughter, and she’s not sure she can—or wants to—hold back.

Can two hearts in love surrender to God's plan for their love story, even when the stakes have never been higher?

The Class She Skips is a heartwarming Christian romance that weaves a forbidden love story with powerful themes of faith, healing, trust, and the transformative power of grace.

Genres: Christian Romance, Christian Fiction, Romance, Fiction, Christian

302 pages, Paperback

Published January 23, 2025

About the author

Ella Marie is a pen name of a wife to the man of her dreams, and a mama to a cute little boy. Jesus is her Lord and personal Savior, guiding her in all aspects of life. After publishing her first clean and sweet romance series, God put it on her heart to share the greatest gift in her life—Jesus—in her love stories.

All her future books will not only be heart-melting but will also point readers toward the love and grace of Jesus Christ. Expect to see broken characters finding healing, faith, hope, and of course, love in each of her Christ-centered love stories.

Her greatest prayer is that her books will encourage readers to live out their faith boldly, deepen their relationship with Jesus, and remember that no other book is to be cherished like God’s letter to us— the Bible.

Reviews

[Sam (The Favorites Shelf) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars (rounded up to 5)

This is such a cute romance, with lots of depth as well. I'll definitely be adding this to my favorite-romance collection!

The main characters, Enzo and Charlene (aka Charlie), meet during unideal circumstances: He's an interim professor, while she's a college student. At first, I wasn't sure how I'd feel about this setup, but it's handled well here! The characters' ages are actually quite close, and their "forbidden" romance gives an opportunity for so much faith content, as they learn to trust God's timing. Bible verses and gospel elements are also prominent, which I loved!

The romance overall is quite clean. The characters are clearly attracted to each other and have a connection, but nothing between them crosses boundaries, which I appreciated (light, sweet kisses only). This would be a great story if you're looking for something sweet and swoon-worthy without unnecessary detail!

Also, I LOVED the side characters! Robyn and Pearl are wonderful... and Enzo's daughter is ADORABLE. I can't wait to read more in the series. Since I read them out of order, I'll definitely be exploring book one (The Game She Hates) for Pearl's story next. (If you're new to the series, I may recommend reading them in order, since Pearl is quite prominent here, although this book can stand on its own as well.)

*Content to note*
Parental/spousal loss (past but partial memory on page); overcoming grief. Discussions of child born before marriage. Brief mentions of past drug use.

**Thank you to the author for providing this book as a complimentary giveaway prize. All thoughts expressed are my own.**

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Ella for this ARC in exchange for my honest review! <3 As one of my top favorite authors, I was ecstatic to dive into Charlie and Enzo’s story! And let me tell you, it exceeded all my expectations!

I absolutely adored this book! The integration of prayer and scripture throughout the story resonated deeply with me. And I loved how the characters prayed right then and there in the midst of the situation. Ella Marie's writing has a way of uplifting and inspiring, and this book is no exception.🥹❤️

The characters stole my heart, I loved Charlie,(aka Charlene..can I just say I loved her name..?!!) Enzo and Gianna- they're hands-down my favorite daddy-daughter duo! It was also wonderful to see familiar faces like Pearl, Zane, and Robyn again!

To sum it up, “The Class She Skips” made me laugh, swoon, and most importantly, reminded me of God's unwavering love. And whenever doubts and uncertainties arise, it's comforting to know that God already has a plan far better than any of ours.

If you're a fan of Christian romance, or just looking for a beautiful story that will touch your heart, 'The Class She Skips' is an absolute must-read!

Thank you, Ella once more! And I can’t wait to see what you come up with next!! 💕

[Christian Shelves · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the opportunity to continue reading Pearl and Zane's story from The Game She Hates. Paired with Robyn, a roommate who calls it like it is but in a Christ-honouring way, these strong Christian friends help Charlie as she learns from her mistakes and grows in her faith. Though I initially wondered how the professor-student status would affect the main characters in this book, the author makes it very clear that Charlie and Enzo are aware of the dangers and ethical implications that lie in this power dynamic. The book draws out the waiting period before Enzo is no longer Charlie's professor, so if you don't mind a slow burn, this book definitely ratchets up the tension. Getting to meet Enzo’s sweet daughter who has a penchant for getting away with a lot of creative pleas through her charm and love for reading will make you smile as you see Enzo and Charlie falling more and more for each other.

The Class She Skips personifies the forbidden romance trope very well in the sense that I was quite stressed out while reading the book. This is more a reflection on me where I was worried that something could happen that would awaken love before its time (Song of Songs 2:7). Thankfully, Ella Marie does a great job of using this theme to convey some wonderful Christian truths, such as not rushing God's timetable and not finding solace in relationships instead of Him. If you’re like me, this book will definitely have you on pins and needles as Enzo and Charlie interact with each other, where I wanted to know what happened next but I was also a bundle of nerves along the way. If forbidden love is a favourite trope for you, there are a lot of great lessons that the characters go through in their romantic and spiritual journeys as they learn to depend on God's sovereignty.

Review link: https://christianshelves.blogspot.com...

I am grateful to the author for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Stefanie Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edit: Ella Marie has removed the specific yoga poses from this book. God is so good and it is so important to have loving conversations in the body of Christ. I look forward to finishing this book! It’s going back on my to read shelf and will be read asap because it was a struggle to dnf I love Charlie, Enzo and Gianna already.


Had to dnf because contains specific yoga poses. Yoga does not belong in Christian Fiction as it is a form of worship to other gods. I reached out to the author in love, and had a productive discussion about this topic.
I did receive an advanced copy for an honest review. I do not for any reason compromise my faith and cannot support a book that has a form of idolatry in it regardless of how strong the Christian faith is. I am sad because I was really looking forward to reading this book and I was really enjoying the story and the character journey.

[Rosie✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolutely amazing!

Did I just cry in the bonus chapter? Yes, yes I did! And I loved this! Perfect sweet romance with lots of faith themes!!!! 😍🥰 5 stars

[Brittney (booksta.britt) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Class She Skips by @ella_marie_author
Book 2 in A Healing Kind of Love series
Coming January 24th!

Enzo + Charlie

I loved this story! Wow. Ella really knows how to build a story and then give you the most rewarding ending. This book has all the faith themes and these characters have been through some challenging situations. Enzo is a researcher, interim professor, and a single dad. Charlie is an older college student and works ALL the jobs. I love how these two meet at the coffee shop. This book was seriously so so sweet. I really appreciated how Enzo was so careful with Charlie’s heart and helped her grow in a lot of ways.

Y’all definitely go read this one whenever it releases!
Thank you, Ella for gifting me this early!
I truly love your books and love supporting you!

—Quote
“All you need to know is that I care about you so much. I’d never want to do anything half-hearted or uncertain when it comes to us. You deserve so much more than that.”

—Content
Sweet kisses only
No foul language
Grief
Overdose (off page)
Death of parent (off page)

[Kn.Ranchlifereads_25 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full Review:

Absolutely LOVED!!!!!!!
like omg I don't even know what else to say this book was amazing!

And can we just talk about the fabulous friendships in this book!!! Like Pearl and Robyn had my HEART but you add Charlie to the mix and we get to see them mentor her as a young Christian(**speechless**)

I really couldn't pick out one character to love the most in this, Enzo Bennett was one of the sweetest MMC's evahhh and the absolute best dad!!
Charlene Taylor: the perfect FMC book lover... displayed book obsession to perfection... and watching her love for Gianna grow-through their shared love for books!!!(**obsessed**) I love how Charlene loved Gianna first and made her feel special and how important their relationship was to her

Another thing I loved was how special and important Gianna's character was (MMC's daughter) if I'm honest, I adored her character as much as I did the romance- I mean forget needing book boyfriends to be real, I just want to be best friends with this 8 year old little girl

If you looking for a
•Single Dad Romance
with a
•Book lover FMC
with the best sweet, swoony and God-honoring relationship. This is definitely the book you want! 10/10

[Alicia (aliciasbooksanctuary) · Rating 4 out of 5]

OVERALL STAR RATING: 4/5
CLEAN RATING: 5/5

Strong elements of faith – you are going to just love this Christian romance! A single dad with a complicated past who now lives for Jesus. This story is going to warm your heart.

Enzo went through a heavy party period during his youth which resulted in his adorable and endearing 8-year-old daughter, Gianna. Unfortunately, Gianna’s mother didn’t want her, and she later passed away from a drug overdose. Enzo straightened his life out and walks strong in his Christian faith. He’s so very devoted to his little girl that romance isn’t a top priority. When Enzo accepts a temporary teaching gig however, a certain student really catches his eye. Charlie (Charlene) and Enzo had met previously…not exactly a meet-cute, but more of a meet disaster had occurred at a local coffee shop. Charlie and Enzo were both shocked when their paths once again crossed at the college.

The two have undeniable chemistry and when Charlie realizes that Enzo’s daughter is the little girl she met and fell in love with at the library not long ago, well…that’s it…love is exploding in her heart in more ways than she could ever imagine. Charlie is an extremely bookish soul, as is Gianna, and they connected on the absolute sweetest level. Falling for Enzo and his daughter was completely unexpected, but also completely NOT ok by school’s standards. A teacher dating his student – highly inappropriate and Enzo has no intent on breaking staff policy or any hearts in what proves to be a very tricky situation.

The connection between Charlie, Enzo and his daughter is palpable and simply too hard to ignore. You’re going to love their story and maturity in handling their journey towards a relationship that truly honors God.

Trigger Warning: Loss of parents.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

*For more reviews and bookish content, be sure to follow me on Instagram @aliciasbooksanctuary

[Lizzie (Lizziesreadingcorner) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this as an arc-copy to give it an honest review. Thank you Ella Marie!

This book was so heartwarming and sweet. I'm so sad it's over!

The class she skips is a Christian romance book that is very Christ-centered, which I loved. It shows the beauty of following Jesus but it also views the struggles that you can come across with. I felt so connected to Charlie because of her uncertainties.
The Bible verses in this book are so comforting and uplifting.

The relationship between Enzo and Charlie is so sweet and respectful. The way they grew closer to each other but also in Christ was so beautifully done.
This review wouldn't be complete without mentioning Gianna and the sisters in Christ, aka, Pearl and Robyn.
Love all of these characters.

Thank you once again for this arc-copy.

[Adi Weber · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was so sweet! This was my first Christian romance, and I was a little apprehensive on if it would feel cheesy, but to be fully honest this was so endearing and lovely. Reading Bible verses in a book, reading the characters’ prayers throughout their days, and a clean romance were SUCH a breath of fresh air! The only thing I didn’t love about this is that the dialogue felt a little stiff and not at all like real dialogue, but that’s fairly minor.

A sweet, lovely, Jesus-centered romance is exactly what I needed for a pallet cleanser :)

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a clean, Christian romance with all the swoon that will also build your faith, this book is for you! I fell in love with Charlie, Enzo and Gianna and couldn't wait to see their story unfold. Both Charlie and Enzo along with their supporting cast had such big hearts. The Christian message throughout was a blessing. I couldn't put this book down! I couldn't wait to finish this book, but I was definitely sad when it was over! If you enjoy tropes such as pointing to Jesus, single dad, opposites attracting, forbidden romance, bookish FMC, protective hero, found family, and Christ centered friendships, this book is for you! Ella Marie creates lovable, multidimensional characters you will fall in love with. I also loved reading this book from both Charlie's and Enzo's points of view. LOVE this book and highly recommend.

[ChriseBee · Rating 5 out of 5]

January 30, 2026

Reread. Prior to the release of book 3, I wanted to revisit Charlie's story. I enjoyed it as much as I did last year - it's a sweet Christian romance and a touching reminder of God's healing love. There were so many good nuggets of truth in this book, and it will always be a favourite.

January 11, 2025

Thanks to Ella Marie for the opportunity to read this beautiful story as an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Class She Skips is a wonderful journey of love, friendship, and God's redeeming grace. Busy college student Charlene, aka Charlie, unexpectedly meets Enzo, who is later revealed to be her biology professor and a single father. They have to navigate their growing feelings for each other with faith as their guide, difficult as it can be given the shadows of their pasts, their present circumstances, and their future dreams.

I loved the friendship Robyn and Pearl have with Charlie. At different stages in their faith, they never fail to support Charlie as a student and new Christian. They surround her with unconditional love which mirrors God's love. I understood Charlie so much in the struggles she faced with fully trusting God, and the advice of her friends encouraged me.

Enzo's relationship with his daughter, Gianna was adorable, and his concerns for Charlie were sweet and protective.

The Class She Skips shows that God cares even when we're anxious and doubt and he can heal brokenness. I gained more than a good mood while reading this one, and I can't wait to read Pearl's story now that I've seen snippets of her relationship with Zane. I also look forward to Robyn getting her own love story.

[Maggie Blankenship · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75 ⭐️ CLOSED-DOOR Christian Contemporary Romance

🖊️ “The Class She Skips” by Ella Marie

🫑 CONTENT & ROMANCE RATINGS/ CONTENT WARNINGS
* KISSING: 10&up
* FADE-TO-BLACK: none
* VIOLENCE: none
* ASSAULT: none
* LANGUAGE: none
* Other content: 16&up
* Grief (present)
* Loss of loved one (past but on page)
* Child born out of wedlock
* Mention of overdose

#️⃣ 2nd in the “A Healing Kind of Love” series

🗓️ FORMAT/ AVAILABILITY
* Kindle
* Kindle Unlimited
* Paperback

♥️ TROPES:
* single dad
* Student x interim professor
* Forbidden romance
* Christian faith
* Found family
* Opposites attract
* Bookish FMC

📝 REVIEW:
I have never read a book where I, so clearly, found pieces of myself in every character! Ella Marie has the gift of creating real characters with real joys and sorrows that captivated my attention.
From Enzo and Charlie’s hallmark meet cute to their instant chemistry I was a goner for their relationship! They truly showed what faith-lead love looks like.
And of course I can’t forget Gianna! Her love of books was contagious through the pages, and her eight-year-old wisdom brought the book to life. The instant friendship that Gianna and Charlie had was so beautiful I shed tears of joy!
Lastly, the book would not have been the same without Robyn and Pearl! I was so excited to see little glimpses into the continuation of their stories.
Each of these characters stole a piece of myself heart and I can’t wait to see what else Ella Marie had in store.

[funkelbunt.liest · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so happy I gave this book and this new-to-me-author a chance! This book is absolutely wonderful, but before I start talking about why I loved it so much, I want to begin with my only complaint:

I wish Gianna would be on the cover! The cover is so cute! But after having read the book I feel that there is something missing, and that’s the most adorable little girl which is so important not only to both main characters but also to the plot.

Children can completely spoil the reading experience for me, when they are portrayed a certain way. A bit like child actors that can’t act. But Gianna just adds to the appeal of the book. She is definitely something special, but she is still very much a child and I loved how she became fast friends with Charlie, how they shared interests and how it was ultimately Charlie who showed Gianna to enjoy certain aspects of childhood, while Gianna helped Charlie in other ways to “grow up”. Their relationship is just so sweet!

I also loved Enzo not only as a character or Charlie’s/Charlene’s love interest, but especially as Gianna’s dad. He built his whole life around Gianna and her needs and still doubts and questions himself and his decisions. And I honestly think this is something that makes a great parent. To ask yourself if the way you're going is the right one. Not because you will never make mistakes this way, but because you become aware of how limited you are and that even if you try your hardest, you still make mistakes.

The side characters like Enzo’s parents, his “professor friend” and Charlie’s girlfriends Robin and Pear were equally wonderful. I loved how they gave advice, always with Christ at the center of it, without being judgemental or condescending, but with grace and love. You could feel their love for Enzo and Charlie through the pages.

I felt so seen through these characters, especially Charlie. She struggles with the loss of her mother, with body image issues and most importantly with her faith. She felt extremely relatable and authentic - as did pretty much all the characters honestly. She definitely has emotional baggage, but it isn’t overly dramatized and I especially appreciated that even though you have to feel for her, she is not portrayed as a victim. She is still responsible for her own actions and when she finally gives it all to God, it is quite simple, but very beautiful!

“Your slower steps toward Christ are just as precious and necessary. The desire you have to grow in your relationship with Him isn’t something you manufactured in your heart. That desire was planted by God. And if He gave it to you, He’s going to satisfy it. He literally died so you could have a relationship with Him, so of course, He’ll never deny you that.”

“My heart squeezes at the thought. Jesus saw me, too - saw all my doubts, my lackluster efforts in my faith. But instead of pushing me away, He’s been drawing me closer [...]”

Like I said, I pretty much loved everything about this book, the romance only being one of many things. But the romance is extremely sweet. I loved Enzo and Charlie together, they just made sense. It’s an insta-attraction but not insta-love situation and I really liked how Enzo was very thoughtful about how to deal with his feelings and - again - the advice he was given both by his dad and his friend.

The faith content was woven through every aspect of the story and made the book so special. It just felt so real and a part of the character’s lives.

I could go on and on about how much I loved this book but in short - what makes this book so beautiful is the strong faith content, the absolutely adorable characters, the relationships (I could honestly name probably each random name pairing in the book and it would be an example of a wonderful and caring relationship between friends, betwee parents and their kid, between a couple.)

So I highlighted A LOT of passages in this book (the ones above are just a fraction…), mostly about Charlie’s body image issues and faith struggles but also about relationships, parenting and marriage, because there were so many things that spoke to me.

To say I fell in love with this book is an understatement and even though I haven’t read Ella Marie’s previous works (they are obviously all on my TBR now!) I can say with certainty that rebranding as a Christian romance author was the absolute right decision. I found a lot of encouragement and even healing through this book and I’m confident that I’m not the only one!


* Thank you to the author for letting me read an advanced copy of this book. I leave this review voluntarily and the expressed opinions are my own.

[Moni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. This is book 2 in the A Healing Kind of Love Series and can be read as a standalone, though I encourage readers to read The Game She Hates as well to appreciate the friendships even more. The Class She Skips is told through Charlie and Enzo's pov and is a beautiful single dad romance.

CW: read the author's note
Spice: sweet kisses that focus on emotions

From the prologue, it was easy to feel for Charlie and want to read more about her journey. She had a fun personality that made it easy to root for her. But, though she was upbeat, she had some healing to do - including understanding what a love like Jesus' is like. It was beautiful to see her truly accept His goodness in her life, especially as her feelings for Enzo grew. While Enzo knew the goodness of Jesus' grace and love, he had to learn how to listen to Jesus' voice and I enjoyed seeing his journey as well. Because of Enzo being Charlie's professor, their romance had an off limits vibe to it. I know some may be wary of that dynamic but I can assure you that the author wrote it in a way that will leave readers satisfied. Aside from the romance, I loved seeing the bond that Charlie had with Gianna, Enzo's daughter. Of course, I loved the relationship Enzo had with Gianna too, the support he had was nice, and the friendships that Charlie had were wonderful. Overall, there is nothing I disliked about this book - other than the fact that it ended but I'm looking forward to reading more from this series!

[Kate Goodwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved and highly recommend this beautiful story!!! I’d read one of Ella Marie’s previous clean romances, before she transitioned to Christian romance. While that book was sweet and all, this one hits completely different, and I know it’s because God is in it!

The characters in this story are incredible. Flawed and relatable, in need of more grace, just like all of us. The way Ella weaves in their backstories is so well done to give the characters depth and reason behind their actions. Charlie’s struggle with wanting to grow closer to Christ yet lacking the willpower to make changes is SO real!

The relationship between Charlie and Gianna is so perfect. I especially loved the way Enzo took care of his daughter’s natural hair. That was precious!!!
Favorite Lines:
- “Church isn’t for people who have it all together. It’s for those of us who know we need a Savior every single day.”
- “The desire you have to grow in your relationship with Him isn’t something you manufactured in your heart. That desire was planted by God. And if He gave it to you, He’s going to satisfy it.”
- “Temptation isn’t meant to look pretty, and no one is above it. If you ever think you are, that’s a surefire way for the Devil to plant pride in your heart. Before you know it, you’re looking down on people who haven’t achieved the same victories over sin as you.”
- There’s something so special about a man who believes in you.
- God cares about our little hopes and dreams.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to start by saying I received an ARC of this book. This is a Christian romance book. We have Enzo and Charlie as the main characters. Enzo is a single father to Gianna and he is a researcher as well as an interim professor. Charlie is a college student who works multiple jobs and loves to read. The first time they meet is when he is at the coffee shop where she works and she accidentally makes him spill his coffee everywhere. It was almost like love at first sight. Will they ever see each other again? When they finally meet again they are surprised. Throughout the book they kept running into each other. Thanks to God and Gianna they end up spending a lot of time together and fall for each other. I loved to see Enzo with Gianna and also Charlie with Gianna. Enzo is such an amazing single father. I love how respectful he was of Charlie. My heart did break for Charlie seeing what she went through in life. I love how this book was full of Bible Verses and prayers. This book goes to show God has a plan for you. God has someone out there for you. Let go and let God take over. When you try to take control of your life without God in it then things won’t work out the way you want. God knows what is best for you. I loved seeing the characters from the previous book. I can’t wait to read the next book.

[The Squeaky Clean Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adored this Christian Romance

I absolutely adored this story. I knew I would because I love s good single parent romance, but there was so much more to it too.

1. I loved the Christian themes of healing, forgiveness, strength through Christ, and constantly strengthening your relationship with Him. It brought a beautiful depth to the characters and their story

2. Enzo was an amazing gentleman. I loved how he learned from his past and moved forward in Christ. He was so respectful, had heartfelt beautiful boundaries, and was an amazing father. Made me think of how much I love my husband for those same qualities and I love a good book that reminds me of my spouse

3. Charlene was so sweet and her flaws were so relatable. I felt like I was right there with her, remembering the times I've felt her same struggles and pains and as she grew and healed from them so did I. I cried right along with her and it was so beautiful to experience.

This romance was sweet, heartfelt, beautiful, and emotionally healing. I cried several times (looking at you bonus epilogue especially 👀) because of how beautiful this story was.

Cannot wait for Robyn's story next!!

💋Chaste kisses only
⚠️ Beautifully written authors content note in the beginning of the book. Grief, and healing from mistakes are prominent themes

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Beautiful Christian Romance


This was a beautifully written love story of Charlie and Enzo. The relationship was centered around Christ and His provision for them. They chose to trust Christ and let Him lead even though at times it may have been difficult. They both displayed great faith in what they desired from Christ. I loved the transformation that could be seen in Charlie and Enzo individually but also collectively.

"...The Lord is good to those who wait for HIM, to the soul who seeks HIM, she quotes Lamentations 3:25..."

This book was firmly embedded with Christ, scriptures, prayers, grace, patience, faith and true love. The true love and grace that Christ shows us, no matter what we have or have not done.

The friendship between Roybn, Pearl and Charlie was unmatched. I thoroughly enjoyed how they supported, prayed, and loved one another. They allowed Christ to be depicted in their friendship.

The example of the perfect duo was Gianna and Charlie! Their relationship from the start was simply precious!

I wholeheartedly enjoyed every page of this book.
"The Class She Skips," is a clean christian romance that was beautifully written.
I highly recommend this book!

This was an ARC read.
Thank you Ella for this amazing book.

[Jennifer Maxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I added a possible trigger warning that may be a spoiler*


Ohh gosh! 🥹 Such a beautiful story. Charlene aka Charlie ended up with two of the most wonderful female friends who in my opinion felt more like her sisters. I guess you could say they were definitely her sisters in Christ. If you aren't a Christian (or okay with faith based books) I don't think you will like or appreciate this book as much as some others would/will, because this book is very Christ centered. I loved it and it brought out a lot of my own feelings about certain topics. Some of the tougher topics definitely made me feel seen and understood.


Tropes/triggers(just in case)

~loss of a parent(s)

~talk of drug addiction/overdose

~single dad

~professor/student


Everything Enzo and Charlene struggled with was understandable. Charlene needed to give up control to God and learn to be patient. Enzo was struggling with the fact she was his student and his past sins. Enzo's daughter Gianna was just so precious, she loves her dad so much, and her relationship with Charlene was very heartwarming. 


Overall it's an amazing story, and written beautifully.



*This my honest ARC review*

[Emmi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here‘s my honest ARC review <3

TCSS is such a beautifully written book, it is truly inspiring and real.
One of the things I loved most about it was the relatability of the characters and their situations/struggles. It was so encouraging to see Charlene aka Charlie in her growth and the vulnerability and rawness in it especially as a young Christian who oftentimes struggles with exactly those things.

Also the female friendships in this book were precious, the praying for each other in the spur of the moment or simply listening and encouraging - I loved it!

Because romance is a very big factor in the book let‘s not forget Enzo - the godliness, respect and devotion with which he pursued Charlie is such an inspiration and a standard to hold onto!
Also I loved that Charlie and Gianna (Enzo‘s daughter) had their own relationship, that was beautifully pictured..

Over all, I felt that God truly was the center of this book and of the individual relationships, so if you‘re on the lookout for exactly that, I can only encourage you to read TCSS! It‘s swoons, it‘ s soft and absolutely lovable!

Thanks again Ella, for writing such a beautiful and inspiring book! <3

[Tami Willard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can be read as a standalone. This book has a strong Christian presence throughout the book. It's not preachy but it does contain verses from the Bible and deals with the struggle to accept that God's Will isn't always our will.

She's in the final stretch of getting her degree debt free. If only she didn't have to work so many hours. Sitting in a class that won't benefit her after college is just preventing her from making more money. Thankfully her roommates are lenient when it comes to bills and her professor doesn't care about attendance as long as you are passing. Then reality changes.

He's spending all his free time focusing on his daughter. Everyone keeps telling him that he needs to find a balance between work, being a dad, and being a young single man. Maybe filling in mid semester for a professor is just what he needs.

There's the all important "meet cute" followed by finding out how small their world is and the struggle to deal with all of the obstacles between them and a HEA. Throw in an adorable little girl who's struggling to trust people outside her tiny bubble and you have an easy read.

[Marjorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coincidences and grace abound in this story about an overworked student skipping some classes and the interim professor who cares enough to follow up on her. Charlie is the embodiment of "though she may be little she is fierce". She is a bundle of positive energy believing things can get better with her nose always buried in a book. Enzo is the slower, methodical one, always careful of those around him. I'm not sure which I liked better, watching Enzo's daughter Gianna bloom around Charlie, or seeing the friendship between Enzo and Charlie grow into something more.

What I love best about this series is how gently and non-judgmentally it deals with very sensitive, potentially red button issues. This book there is a forbidden-ish relationship, out of wedlock child, a character with a bit of a player past, body image issues, talk about character with drug addiction and more. But the overlaying message is always love and forgiveness.

If you read The Game She Hates you will be happy to see Pearl and Robyn back. If you are just meeting them for the first time, do go back and read Pearls story!

[Kynadi Law · Rating 5 out of 5]

AHHHHHH OMGGGGGGG😫 What a book!!!

I have so many thoughts and feelings, but one thing is clear—I absolutely loved this story! It’s always a breath of fresh air to read a clean romance with characters who share my love for Jesus. But Ella Marie does something special: she doesn’t just tell us the characters are believers—she shows it in their actions, their choices, and their relationships.

I loved seeing how faith was naturally woven into their lives, from Enzo’s integrity to Gianna’s childlike trust in Jesus. This book felt so real, exploring themes of grief, love, loss, faith, friendship, single parenthood, and the beauty of community.

And let’s talk about Enzo and Charlie! The innocent tension between them was everything, and I adored how Enzo was intentional about protecting their purity while honoring God—even when the attraction was undeniable. 😍

This story was heartfelt, faith-filled, and so beautifully written. If you love clean romance with depth, The Class She Skips is a must-read!

[Oruare Ojimadu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my! I loved reading this story. This was an awesome read for me. Enzo and Charlene are two beautiful human beings and their individual walk with God as they found their love path is incredible! I love the way the author weaved faith and love in this story. Their trust in God as they made life choices, allowing themselves to be led by God despite their desires. This book draws one in as you follow their discovery of love, you find nuggets for life's journey. I love the vibes and connections between Charlene's friends and her; the rapport and understanding between Enzo and his parents, Amy
Hubert. Enzo us a fantastic father and his daughter Gianna is a pleasure to behold. It was nice seeing Zane and Pearl again and reading how they have grown together. I hope Robyn gets her own story too. Definitely looking forward to read more from this author.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Jessica Good · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ella, thank you for this ARC in exchange for my honest review! I was so excited to jump into this story and I am so glad that I did! The story of Charlie and Enzo stole my heart! I loved reading this book and was so sad when it ended. I loved and highly recommend this book!

‘The Class She Skips’ is a Christian Romance. Prayer and scripture are woven throughout the story, characters pray right in the middle of situations, and encourage each other through their walk with Christ and God’s grace. It was uplifting and inspiring!

Watching the relationship between Charlie and Enzo grow as they were drawn closer to Christ was precious. ‘The Class She Skips’ made me laugh and reminded me that God has a plan for each of us.

I loved reading ‘The Class She Skips’ and highly recommend it if you are looking for a beautiful Christian Romance.

Thanks again Ella! I look forward to reading more of your books.

[Alayna (the.bookstrovert) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite Quote:
“How about this: Charlene Taylor, would you do me the honor of going on a date with me right here in my living room, while a thunderstorm rumbles outside and my daughter sleeps just down the hall? I’ve got strawberry ice cream waiting—it makes for a great dessert.”


My first ARC of 2025, and I was bawling by the end. 😭
This is my second book from Ella Marie, she just has a way of writing such heartwarming stories that have you feeling so thankful for God’s endless pursuit of us.

Enzo and Charlie have officially become my favorite couple by Ella!
The bookish banter between these two! 😆
The cooking dates, the driving lessons, Gianna! 😍🥹

It was so fun seeing cameos of Zane and Pearl from book 1! And I’m really hoping we’ll get Robyn’s HEA soon!

Thank you to the author for the advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

[Ta-Nika Ruddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful, totally relatable story for those new in faith and just starting on their spiritual journey with God. A great encouragement that we are not alone in our experience.
A great reminder to trust in God with all things in life and seek His guidance at every turn.
This story had my heart squeezing with emotion as Charlie grew in her relationship with the Lord and leaning on her friends for encouragement.

Some key features I loved reading:

The made family dynamic between Robyn, Pearl and Charlie is the sweetest thing.

Characters are really fleshed out, great inner dialogue, really gets to know the characters and their thoughts.

The bond growing between Charlie and Gianna is smooth and gradual with all the warm, good feelings.

Enzo is so respectful of Charlie, and there's great character growth.

[Regina · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a romance book that will renew your faith this one is for you. A beautifully written story of what life can be like even in the wake of heartbreak & life’s disappointments, even if some are self inflicted. Charlie’s life was far from perfect when she decided to find her way back to God. God’s answer was to give her friends that would love her & help her. Enzo went through a season that he strayed from God & became a single Dad, but God always forgives when you humble yourself & ask.

When Charlie accidentally spills coffee on Enzo, sparks fly. Things really get complicated when Enzo becomes Charlie’s interim professor. Both need to trust God’s plan & His timing.

“Even if that means watching Enzo like a warm chocolate chip cookie that I can’t eat because I just started a keto diet.” Charlie

[Evelin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Class She Skips by Ella Marie is a heartfelt Christian romance with an engaging story.
While it doesn’t feature my favorite tropes, I still enjoyed the journey and appreciated the thoughtful exploration of faith and relationships.
I loved Gianna, she’s such a sweet child, and Enzo’s caring nature really stood out. Charlie is a sweetheart and so hardworking, making her a truly admirable character.
I also appreciated how prayer was woven throughout the book, adding depth and authenticity to the story.
The romance was sweet and uplifting, even if it didn’t completely win me over.
It’s a meaningful story filled with faith, growth, hope, and love!


*Thanks for providing the ARC copy! This review, of course, still reflects my honest opinion.