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Fall Semester
Librarian's note: Alternate cover edition of ASIN B00FO5WDDS.
A depressed English professor finds love in the most unlikely place in Stephanie Fournet's emotional debut novel, Fall Semester.
Despite his stunning good looks, Dr. Malcolm Vashal is perhaps the most detested professor on campus. A floundering career and the aftershocks of a painful divorce have left the thirty-four-year-old with more than a little self-loathing, which only grows when he meets Maren Gardner. The graduate student with the loyal heart and searching eyes is much too good for him. She is off-limits for more reasons than one, but Malcolm can’t seem to resist her.
Maren is facing the greatest loss of her life, and her family needs her now more than ever. Between caring for them and building her future, Maren doesn’t have time for a social life, much less a relationship, but she can’t push a certain green-eyed professor from her mind. She sees in him a goodness that others don’t, but that might not be enough.
As the two discover each other, their blossoming friendship soon turns into something more, but self-doubts, family tragedy, and personal demons stand in their way.
Can they overcome these odds and share a love that each desperately needs? Or will the end of the semester find them heartbroken?
A depressed English professor finds love in the most unlikely place in Stephanie Fournet's emotional debut novel, Fall Semester.
Despite his stunning good looks, Dr. Malcolm Vashal is perhaps the most detested professor on campus. A floundering career and the aftershocks of a painful divorce have left the thirty-four-year-old with more than a little self-loathing, which only grows when he meets Maren Gardner. The graduate student with the loyal heart and searching eyes is much too good for him. She is off-limits for more reasons than one, but Malcolm can’t seem to resist her.
Maren is facing the greatest loss of her life, and her family needs her now more than ever. Between caring for them and building her future, Maren doesn’t have time for a social life, much less a relationship, but she can’t push a certain green-eyed professor from her mind. She sees in him a goodness that others don’t, but that might not be enough.
As the two discover each other, their blossoming friendship soon turns into something more, but self-doubts, family tragedy, and personal demons stand in their way.
Can they overcome these odds and share a love that each desperately needs? Or will the end of the semester find them heartbroken?
369 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 5, 2013
47 people are currently reading
698 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Fournet
17 books515 followersBestselling romance author Stephanie Fournet has thirteen novels and one novella to her name. She lives in Lafayette, Louisiana—not far from the Saint Streets where her novels are set. She shares her home with her husband and their needy dogs Mabel and Bud, and the ghosts of dogs past. When she isn’t writing romance novels, Stephanie is usually helping students get into college, camping, or curled up with a good book. She loves hearing from readers, so look for her on Facebook, Instagram, and stephaniefournet.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
January 20, 2016
I really tried to like this one. It had everything I love - the broody hero, the kind heroine, teacher-student relationship, but it did not work for me.
The hero is a professor 34 years old and the heroine is grad student who is 24 years old. Ten year age difference which was fine. The heroine is a grown woman so it was not a big deal. My issue was with the writing. There was too much information about everyone and everything and I mean about everything, but the hero and heroine ironically. Their initial meeting was nice and I thought FINALLY we are getting somewhere, but NO. The story flips back to some nonsense with the BFF and university politics. I felt like I was reading a university handbook and not an actual story.
There was a lot of unnecessary information. The heroine talked in detail about a bakery that she visits in GREAT detail. I don't care how many bakery locations there are unless it pertains to the story which it didn't. (page 73) Then I did not have to know every detail about the heroine's brother and sister. (loc 83) I was at 23% and the main characters only had a few scenes together - maybe a two pages if you put all the paragraphs together. It felt like the story was more about the BFF, Helene, and the BFF's love interest, Jess. I have no idea why Maren, the heroine, was so involved in their crazy "relationship".
It did not work for me, but it may work for you. This is my opinion. I am not tell you not to read it.
The hero is a professor 34 years old and the heroine is grad student who is 24 years old. Ten year age difference which was fine. The heroine is a grown woman so it was not a big deal. My issue was with the writing. There was too much information about everyone and everything and I mean about everything, but the hero and heroine ironically. Their initial meeting was nice and I thought FINALLY we are getting somewhere, but NO. The story flips back to some nonsense with the BFF and university politics. I felt like I was reading a university handbook and not an actual story.
There was a lot of unnecessary information. The heroine talked in detail about a bakery that she visits in GREAT detail. I don't care how many bakery locations there are unless it pertains to the story which it didn't. (page 73) Then I did not have to know every detail about the heroine's brother and sister. (loc 83) I was at 23% and the main characters only had a few scenes together - maybe a two pages if you put all the paragraphs together. It felt like the story was more about the BFF, Helene, and the BFF's love interest, Jess. I have no idea why Maren, the heroine, was so involved in their crazy "relationship".
It did not work for me, but it may work for you. This is my opinion. I am not tell you not to read it.
February 23, 2015
Originally posted on http://mikkysworldofbooks.blogspot.fr...
Fall Semester is a student/teacher contemporary romance. When I started reading it I kept in mind that the author was inspired by Sylvain Reynard so it was highly possible for it to be another Gabriel’s Inferno with slight changes here and there.
Well, it wasn’t. Not really.
Malcolm Vashal is a professor at University of Louisiana. He’s disappointed by life and seriously contemplating ending it.
Maren Gardner has abandoned the studies in Denver to be close to her family in the last months of her father’s life. She’s the kind that always makes sacrifices without thinking what it means for her future.
When she meets Malcolm, something changes and she starts hoping that maybe something good can come out of this tragedy.
I’ll be honest, I was really disappointed by the first half of this book. It just drags and it lacks consistency.
Malcolm is a strange character. Keeping up with his mood swings it’s an exercise in futility. One moment he’s funny and warm, the next he’s depressed and contemplating suicide or downright rude. You never know what to expect for him.
Another thing that was poorly described was his relationship with Maren. It lacks essence. The reader will have a hard time understanding how it developed. One moment they’re trying to build a friendship and the next they’re in love with nothing much in between except a dinner.
Another thing that gave me fits was how the author tried to portray Malcolm as sophisticated, mature and mysterious. This was an attempt at creating someone like Sylvain Reynard’s Gabriel but it backfired. Instead, he appears immature, moody and insecure. And all that British English mixed with American English in their speech. What’s up with that? What was the point ??
Maren also was a contradiction. One one side, she tried to make her appear as confident and strong but she ended up sounding pushy and, one the other side, she is humble, insecure and weak.
The last 40% saved this book from being a total waste of time. The story picks up a little bit and it’s full of emotion. At least, it was like that for me.
The writing style is really, really confusing. Stephanie has potential but she has to be more careful and get her ideas in order before putting them on paper.
The ending was predictable and a little bit rushed.
All in all, I think it could have been better. The base for a great story was there but the author went the wrong way in presenting it.
Happy reading!!
Fall Semester is a student/teacher contemporary romance. When I started reading it I kept in mind that the author was inspired by Sylvain Reynard so it was highly possible for it to be another Gabriel’s Inferno with slight changes here and there.
Well, it wasn’t. Not really.
Malcolm Vashal is a professor at University of Louisiana. He’s disappointed by life and seriously contemplating ending it.
Maren Gardner has abandoned the studies in Denver to be close to her family in the last months of her father’s life. She’s the kind that always makes sacrifices without thinking what it means for her future.
When she meets Malcolm, something changes and she starts hoping that maybe something good can come out of this tragedy.
I’ll be honest, I was really disappointed by the first half of this book. It just drags and it lacks consistency.
Malcolm is a strange character. Keeping up with his mood swings it’s an exercise in futility. One moment he’s funny and warm, the next he’s depressed and contemplating suicide or downright rude. You never know what to expect for him.
Another thing that was poorly described was his relationship with Maren. It lacks essence. The reader will have a hard time understanding how it developed. One moment they’re trying to build a friendship and the next they’re in love with nothing much in between except a dinner.
Another thing that gave me fits was how the author tried to portray Malcolm as sophisticated, mature and mysterious. This was an attempt at creating someone like Sylvain Reynard’s Gabriel but it backfired. Instead, he appears immature, moody and insecure. And all that British English mixed with American English in their speech. What’s up with that? What was the point ??
Maren also was a contradiction. One one side, she tried to make her appear as confident and strong but she ended up sounding pushy and, one the other side, she is humble, insecure and weak.
The last 40% saved this book from being a total waste of time. The story picks up a little bit and it’s full of emotion. At least, it was like that for me.
The writing style is really, really confusing. Stephanie has potential but she has to be more careful and get her ideas in order before putting them on paper.
The ending was predictable and a little bit rushed.
All in all, I think it could have been better. The base for a great story was there but the author went the wrong way in presenting it.
Happy reading!!
June 5, 2015
One of my favorite books, and I'd highly recommend it if you're looking for a beach read this summer. The main characters are endearing, the story line is believable, and the love story is superb. Thank God for great authors who write happy endings to stories I don't mind reading over and over again.
October 20, 2015
Yum! Another student/teacher romance I really enjoyed. It got off to a slow start, but I ended up really liking this one. Malcolm (I mean Dr. Vashal) is one delicious jerk of a professor.
November 28, 2021
Let me begin by saying that this is the first book I've read from Fournet, and I was hooked from the first page; it opens with the male lead in a bathroom with a handgun, how can one walk away from that?
The first few pages of Malcom's perspective reminded me of Professor James Dixon from Kingsley Amis' Lucky Jim, but Fournet took Vashal's character (and the story) in a different direction; though the age gap factor is shared! [If you haven't read Lucky Jim, I cannot recommend it enough.]
Fournet has crafted a smart romance filled with equal parts brokenness and heart. The lonely Dr. Vashal and wistul senior, Maren Gardner, meet at a faculty department mixer ahead of the school year's commencement; and while he's less than friendly even after she reveals she moved back in town because her father is dying of cancer, Maren still finds herself drawn to the decidedly odd Dr. Vashal.
Their chemistry was insane, and I died for their public interactions: the Barnes & Noble reading, volunteering at the literary festival, sneaking around the university. But their private moments were unforgettable and agonizingly sweet, particularly Malcom blow-drying Maren's hair when she caught a cold. To die for!
Now, I'm a sucker for a snarky, depressed hero, and like I said before, this book sucked me right in. And it kept me there. My interest did not wane throughout the story. I became more and more invested in everything that Malcom and Maren faced, and the ending tied it all up with a neat bow.
If you love academia set romances, age gaps, 'will they won't they,' and mutual healing, then this is the book for you! Honestly, this one is worth a reread.
The first few pages of Malcom's perspective reminded me of Professor James Dixon from Kingsley Amis' Lucky Jim, but Fournet took Vashal's character (and the story) in a different direction; though the age gap factor is shared! [If you haven't read Lucky Jim, I cannot recommend it enough.]
Fournet has crafted a smart romance filled with equal parts brokenness and heart. The lonely Dr. Vashal and wistul senior, Maren Gardner, meet at a faculty department mixer ahead of the school year's commencement; and while he's less than friendly even after she reveals she moved back in town because her father is dying of cancer, Maren still finds herself drawn to the decidedly odd Dr. Vashal.
Their chemistry was insane, and I died for their public interactions: the Barnes & Noble reading, volunteering at the literary festival, sneaking around the university. But their private moments were unforgettable and agonizingly sweet, particularly Malcom blow-drying Maren's hair when she caught a cold. To die for!
Now, I'm a sucker for a snarky, depressed hero, and like I said before, this book sucked me right in. And it kept me there. My interest did not wane throughout the story. I became more and more invested in everything that Malcom and Maren faced, and the ending tied it all up with a neat bow.
If you love academia set romances, age gaps, 'will they won't they,' and mutual healing, then this is the book for you! Honestly, this one is worth a reread.
April 12, 2019
For something with such an ugly cover this book didn’t have to slap so hard, but it sure did !
August 25, 2016
24% giving up!!!!!
I don’t know why the author felt the need to give a synopsis of every freaking book that was mentioned in this story. (eye roll)
Author gave too much detail in every scene of the book. Snooze…I didn’t need to know every street name the hero drove to. Or every street name he ran. The detailed description of the pastries sold at Keller’s Bakery was unnecessary.
Quote from book:
“The fine muscles below his golden cheek and around his mouth were European in their tautness, evidence of the fact that he was fluent in another language.” What the?????
I don’t know why the author felt the need to give a synopsis of every freaking book that was mentioned in this story. (eye roll)
Author gave too much detail in every scene of the book. Snooze…I didn’t need to know every street name the hero drove to. Or every street name he ran. The detailed description of the pastries sold at Keller’s Bakery was unnecessary.
Quote from book:
“The fine muscles below his golden cheek and around his mouth were European in their tautness, evidence of the fact that he was fluent in another language.” What the?????
April 2, 2014
I know I am in the minority by saying that I really didn't enjoy this book. Maybe if I was a literature major I wouldn't get so bored with the book.
The author was highly descriptive of university courses, and emotions,
but I finished the book not having a clear picture of the two main
characters.
I felt the author should have developed the characters description more.
I was expecting a book like Gabriel's Inferno, and this wasn't like
that for me.
The author was highly descriptive of university courses, and emotions,
but I finished the book not having a clear picture of the two main
characters.
I felt the author should have developed the characters description more.
I was expecting a book like Gabriel's Inferno, and this wasn't like
that for me.
February 28, 2019
Actual Rating: 3.5
This was an enjoyable read. I am a fan of student-teacher romances and this was a great read. I thought that the love story was sweet and different. Usually a student-teacher love story would be instantaneous, but this book showed the slow burn portion of a romance and how to love yourself before you can love someone else. Malcolm Vashal is an English Professor who is known as the “Department Prick,” and he is unsure about anything in his life. Then, he met Maren Gardner and he found something to be passionate for beside doing a translation. Maren Gardner is a graduate student, who is Malcolm’s T.A and they fall in love over their love of poetry. I thought the romance was sweet and I really liked their chemistry. Also, I thought Maren made a questionable decision. I was a bit angry at her for some of her life decisions. I can’t wait to read more books by this author. Overall, a great read.
This was an enjoyable read. I am a fan of student-teacher romances and this was a great read. I thought that the love story was sweet and different. Usually a student-teacher love story would be instantaneous, but this book showed the slow burn portion of a romance and how to love yourself before you can love someone else. Malcolm Vashal is an English Professor who is known as the “Department Prick,” and he is unsure about anything in his life. Then, he met Maren Gardner and he found something to be passionate for beside doing a translation. Maren Gardner is a graduate student, who is Malcolm’s T.A and they fall in love over their love of poetry. I thought the romance was sweet and I really liked their chemistry. Also, I thought Maren made a questionable decision. I was a bit angry at her for some of her life decisions. I can’t wait to read more books by this author. Overall, a great read.
October 24, 2016
Not sure how to rate this one. There was a lot to like and a lot that bothered me. This is a great romance with characters that feel like real people. Malcolm is severely depressed and prone to panic attacks. In fact, he could use a little professional help. Maren was sweet and giving and had a wonderful supportive family. Her story with her dad was very well written and heartwrenching. This was a bit of a slow burn romance that took it's time to develop
But the story got bogged down in places. There was way too much detail in some spots. There was a place in the book describing Maren's jogging route that started to remind me of that SNL skit "The Californians". I started to read all the street names out loud to my husband. Paragraph after paragraph of "Maren made a U-turn at Congress and ran her way back across St. Mary and onto St. Louis. She took a left on Howard, crossed St. Joseph and slowed her pace a little as she crossed St. Patrick." Seriously it went on like this for pages until we were both laughing our heads off.
I was also disappointed with the way both characters behaved near the end of the book. Malcolm became a beaten-down dog and Maren was a harpy with an anger problem. All the things I loved about them disappeared. They did work things out in the end and got their HEA.
But the story got bogged down in places. There was way too much detail in some spots. There was a place in the book describing Maren's jogging route that started to remind me of that SNL skit "The Californians". I started to read all the street names out loud to my husband. Paragraph after paragraph of "Maren made a U-turn at Congress and ran her way back across St. Mary and onto St. Louis. She took a left on Howard, crossed St. Joseph and slowed her pace a little as she crossed St. Patrick." Seriously it went on like this for pages until we were both laughing our heads off.
I was also disappointed with the way both characters behaved near the end of the book. Malcolm became a beaten-down dog and Maren was a harpy with an anger problem. All the things I loved about them disappeared. They did work things out in the end and got their HEA.
February 17, 2014
It was hard to believe that this was Stephanie Fournet's debut novel. There is so much depth and emotion in this book. I was completely drawn into the story between Malcolm and Maren. I will admit that I am a fan of (fictional) professor/student relationships, but this book encompasses so much more than that. It touches on many different levels, such as friendships, family relationships, inner-demons, and love. Their relationship suffered through many hardships, but it was ultimately a beautiful journey.
I loved every minute of the book and I was sad to see it end. I will be looking forward to the next book that this eloquent author releases.
If you would like to read more of my review, please visit my website at
http://www.2bookloversreviews.com/hom...
I loved every minute of the book and I was sad to see it end. I will be looking forward to the next book that this eloquent author releases.
If you would like to read more of my review, please visit my website at
http://www.2bookloversreviews.com/hom...
May 6, 2018
I have so much to say after reading Fall Semester. It is hands down my best read ever. My only regret is that it was released some time ago and it took me this long to discover the magnitude and beauty of Stephanie Fournet’s writing. Ok because I have a lot of thoughts and I not sure where to start I need to borrow John’s Donne’s poem.... this passage really embodies what this book was about for me:
No man is an island;
entire of itself….Every man’s death diminishes me
because I am involved in mankind.
And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls;
It tolls for thee.
FS deals with two people facing different kinds of personal crisis. Malcolm Vashal has a dim view of himself, doubt and crushing loneliness. His ex-wife and the attitudes of the faculty members he works with at the university, perpetuated this chronic self-depreciation, to the point where he is ready to put an end to his existence. But at this pivotal and dark period he meets Maren, a kind soul who sees simply Malcolm without any judgment and uncovers the truth that under this facade of moodiness is really just an equally kind, passionate but yes very lonely human. Maren is however facing the urgent and tragic reality of her father dying of cancer. This is were I remember Dunn's word; under these circumstances were it seems very implausible that two people should fall in love, Stephanie Fournet proved to me that 'no man is an island' and that human beings are not designed to be alone....we crave love in the light as well as in the darkest of hours.
Through a series of encounters the walls that Malcolm built around him starts to crumble. That island of isolation he has exiled himself to is discovered by Maren. Her heart is wandering sail boat and she gets to the shores of his island, kisses the land and declares siege on the fortress of solitude, she scales the walls that he has built till he is waving a white flag and laying everything at her feet. Stephanie Fournet lets this invasion of love happen gradually. It is I guess what they call in the industry "a slow burn". This story needed that because love is not a package of instant mashed potatoes were one just adds water then poof 'insta love' oh no no as a reader I appreciated this so much because affection and caring simmered, steeped and bloomed slowly to love that is rich and deep.
Also I want to address the great sensitivity that Fournet treated the subject of Maren's father, Mark, going though terminal cancer. Sickness and death is tough to read about in books and the author really did not gloss over, shorten or edit to remove all the sad bits so it wouldn't depress anyone. She instead walks you through this full journey with great care, she holds your hand as you sit in the hospital room with Mark then later in his home at his final hours. I experienced the grief of Maren's family but also felt the affection communicated between loved ones. I think death is the ultimate finish line we will all cross and its important from time to time to connect to your own mortality through words at least, ok to feel sadness 'because I am involved in mankind. And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee'
I want to stress though that this is not a death book but still truly a romance between Malcolm and Maren. Their love struggles though this tragedy but just when you think wounds are not going to mend and heal, Fournet proves again that the human spirit has great resiliency. Their is regrowth after forest fires and rebirth after volcanic eruptions. And Maren finds her way back to Malcolm and love blooms once more.
Another element I love about Stephanie's writing is her ability to take something ordinary and turn it to amazing through words. For example Malcolm hears Maren in the bathroom and ponders
"the toilet flushing, the sink running, the squeak of the medicine cabinet seemed musical because this was the antithesis of silence, the silence of his solitude." It is many sentences like that that made me giggle and awe at her amazing writing. I enjoyed as well the pets in the book, it's a nice and endearing touch I have noticed in all Fournet's works I've read so far :) Malcolm's cat Ricardo is truly my fav book cat "Malcolm felt the bump of Ricardo’s nose against his calf. He looked down at his feet as the cat walked figure-eights between them, purring as though to flatter Malcolm into feeding him." ....so cute right :D
Also as a romance may I say that this was one hot book. All the kisses are pages long (not complaining) and it has one of the sexiest scenes I've read everrrr. Their is a part were Malcolm kisses Maren and say “You taste like heaven....Here, mi todo, taste heaven.” OMGGGG was flashing in my brain in neon pink. oh Mamma Mia fan me.
I am going to stop now because this becoming a very long review :P.... all I can say is read this book; you will experience a rainbow of emotions, nuclear explosion will happen in your heart, a big bang in your spirit that will leave you in awed, dazed and amazed. It happened to me after reading Fall Semester and it ruined me in the best way ever and forever.
No man is an island;
entire of itself….Every man’s death diminishes me
because I am involved in mankind.
And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls;
It tolls for thee.
FS deals with two people facing different kinds of personal crisis. Malcolm Vashal has a dim view of himself, doubt and crushing loneliness. His ex-wife and the attitudes of the faculty members he works with at the university, perpetuated this chronic self-depreciation, to the point where he is ready to put an end to his existence. But at this pivotal and dark period he meets Maren, a kind soul who sees simply Malcolm without any judgment and uncovers the truth that under this facade of moodiness is really just an equally kind, passionate but yes very lonely human. Maren is however facing the urgent and tragic reality of her father dying of cancer. This is were I remember Dunn's word; under these circumstances were it seems very implausible that two people should fall in love, Stephanie Fournet proved to me that 'no man is an island' and that human beings are not designed to be alone....we crave love in the light as well as in the darkest of hours.
Through a series of encounters the walls that Malcolm built around him starts to crumble. That island of isolation he has exiled himself to is discovered by Maren. Her heart is wandering sail boat and she gets to the shores of his island, kisses the land and declares siege on the fortress of solitude, she scales the walls that he has built till he is waving a white flag and laying everything at her feet. Stephanie Fournet lets this invasion of love happen gradually. It is I guess what they call in the industry "a slow burn". This story needed that because love is not a package of instant mashed potatoes were one just adds water then poof 'insta love' oh no no as a reader I appreciated this so much because affection and caring simmered, steeped and bloomed slowly to love that is rich and deep.
Also I want to address the great sensitivity that Fournet treated the subject of Maren's father, Mark, going though terminal cancer. Sickness and death is tough to read about in books and the author really did not gloss over, shorten or edit to remove all the sad bits so it wouldn't depress anyone. She instead walks you through this full journey with great care, she holds your hand as you sit in the hospital room with Mark then later in his home at his final hours. I experienced the grief of Maren's family but also felt the affection communicated between loved ones. I think death is the ultimate finish line we will all cross and its important from time to time to connect to your own mortality through words at least, ok to feel sadness 'because I am involved in mankind. And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee'
I want to stress though that this is not a death book but still truly a romance between Malcolm and Maren. Their love struggles though this tragedy but just when you think wounds are not going to mend and heal, Fournet proves again that the human spirit has great resiliency. Their is regrowth after forest fires and rebirth after volcanic eruptions. And Maren finds her way back to Malcolm and love blooms once more.
Another element I love about Stephanie's writing is her ability to take something ordinary and turn it to amazing through words. For example Malcolm hears Maren in the bathroom and ponders
"the toilet flushing, the sink running, the squeak of the medicine cabinet seemed musical because this was the antithesis of silence, the silence of his solitude." It is many sentences like that that made me giggle and awe at her amazing writing. I enjoyed as well the pets in the book, it's a nice and endearing touch I have noticed in all Fournet's works I've read so far :) Malcolm's cat Ricardo is truly my fav book cat "Malcolm felt the bump of Ricardo’s nose against his calf. He looked down at his feet as the cat walked figure-eights between them, purring as though to flatter Malcolm into feeding him." ....so cute right :D
Also as a romance may I say that this was one hot book. All the kisses are pages long (not complaining) and it has one of the sexiest scenes I've read everrrr. Their is a part were Malcolm kisses Maren and say “You taste like heaven....Here, mi todo, taste heaven.” OMGGGG was flashing in my brain in neon pink. oh Mamma Mia fan me.
I am going to stop now because this becoming a very long review :P.... all I can say is read this book; you will experience a rainbow of emotions, nuclear explosion will happen in your heart, a big bang in your spirit that will leave you in awed, dazed and amazed. It happened to me after reading Fall Semester and it ruined me in the best way ever and forever.
April 22, 2019
True love bitch!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 24, 2024
I'm so glad that I stumbled onto this book. It was refreshing & loving & made me feel all the feels.
November 6, 2018
I have read Stephanie’s newer books so now I am catching up with the rest. I decided to start at the beginning and move on to my current place in her catalogue. Needless to say I flipping loved this book. I can always count on her books for the attention to detail, emotion and humor she writes so well.
In some was Fall Semester is like your typical student/older professor trope. But it’s also very different and that is what makes it soo good. I felt a connection to Malcom and Maren immediately. Of course poor Malcom had my rapt attention and sympathies from paragraph one. To see him grow and evolve was astounding. And Maren was an amazing complement to Malcolm. She is not without her heartache and troubles but you can see where the two of them handle their issues differently. Until the end. And then they are the same. And their love of each other is their solace. Their reason to be.
If I hadn’t already been a huge fan of Stephanie Fournet, Fall Semester would have made me one from the first chapter.
In some was Fall Semester is like your typical student/older professor trope. But it’s also very different and that is what makes it soo good. I felt a connection to Malcom and Maren immediately. Of course poor Malcom had my rapt attention and sympathies from paragraph one. To see him grow and evolve was astounding. And Maren was an amazing complement to Malcolm. She is not without her heartache and troubles but you can see where the two of them handle their issues differently. Until the end. And then they are the same. And their love of each other is their solace. Their reason to be.
If I hadn’t already been a huge fan of Stephanie Fournet, Fall Semester would have made me one from the first chapter.
June 19, 2016
4.5 stars!!
Wasn´t this a nice surprise!! I did not expect to like this book this much!!
I did start it a few weeks ago and after the first two chapters I put it down again, it just didn´t hold my interest. It´s written in the 3rd person ( I prefer 1st person), but it´s in dual pov, which I really like, but it just didn´t grab me in the beginning.
Then I was browsing my Kindle on my holiday 2 days ago and I decided to open it up again (I don´t like not finishing books that I start) and the reading began again...
You get the feeling at times that you are reading in "old days" writing style, but it´s happening in the "now".
This was a beautiful love story, real characters and believable characters too, with real problems, dreams, heartache and sorrow.
Beautiful story and I highly recommond it to everyone that likes a great love story.
Wasn´t this a nice surprise!! I did not expect to like this book this much!!
I did start it a few weeks ago and after the first two chapters I put it down again, it just didn´t hold my interest. It´s written in the 3rd person ( I prefer 1st person), but it´s in dual pov, which I really like, but it just didn´t grab me in the beginning.
Then I was browsing my Kindle on my holiday 2 days ago and I decided to open it up again (I don´t like not finishing books that I start) and the reading began again...
You get the feeling at times that you are reading in "old days" writing style, but it´s happening in the "now".
This was a beautiful love story, real characters and believable characters too, with real problems, dreams, heartache and sorrow.
Beautiful story and I highly recommond it to everyone that likes a great love story.
September 23, 2017
I really loved reading this book- it was so easy to get involved with the story in a way that made me feel like I was there, living in the same world as these characters. I easily related to Malcolm & Maren and their journey throughout the book. I loved how Malcolm could come off as such a jerk to those around him, but Maren saw his inherent goodness. The writing itself was just flawless and I loved getting to know all the characters. This was a story I really loved living in and longed to go back to when I was done reading. Definitely recommended!
October 7, 2016
An intelligent, witty, emotional romance
This is a great romance of 2 imperfect people. Malcolm is an interesting romantic lead because he is definitely not an alpha, but he is beautifully romantic in all of his handsome awkwardness.
With 2 leads in an English department there was just the right note of passion about knowledge without the characters coming off as pretentious, or making it seem like the author wanted to show off how clever she is.
There was a great smattering of humor, and a good dose of humanity in all its messiness.
This is a great romance of 2 imperfect people. Malcolm is an interesting romantic lead because he is definitely not an alpha, but he is beautifully romantic in all of his handsome awkwardness.
With 2 leads in an English department there was just the right note of passion about knowledge without the characters coming off as pretentious, or making it seem like the author wanted to show off how clever she is.
There was a great smattering of humor, and a good dose of humanity in all its messiness.
December 9, 2016
Lovely
Fall Semester is a beautiful story with compassionate characters and a plethora of feelings.
Professor Malcolm Vashal is a deeply complex and emotional man who's strengths and vulnerabilities immediately made me care for him.
Graduate student Maren is a sweet and loyal soul who's strength enhances her caring.
Together these two created a sweet and heartfelt love story, strengthened by supportive and lively secondary characters. So many emotions led to angst tempered by love and created a truly endearing read.
Fall Semester is a beautiful story with compassionate characters and a plethora of feelings.
Professor Malcolm Vashal is a deeply complex and emotional man who's strengths and vulnerabilities immediately made me care for him.
Graduate student Maren is a sweet and loyal soul who's strength enhances her caring.
Together these two created a sweet and heartfelt love story, strengthened by supportive and lively secondary characters. So many emotions led to angst tempered by love and created a truly endearing read.
October 13, 2014
I have to admit that I only read this because it was free a few days ago. I'm so glad I did! What a wonderful surprise this book turned out to be! Well-written and so different from everything I've been reading lately. Thankfully, this not an insta-love and there isn't a sex scene every three pages. There was actually something about this book that reminded me of Gabriel's Inferno. I'll definitely be reading more of this author in the future!
July 25, 2016
It took me a little while to get into this one...I even debated filing it on my 'gave up on' shelf. I'm sure glad that I didn't! It was much more than a story about a love connection that would be frowned upon. It was about family, grief, misunderstanding and forgiveness. What kept me from a five star rating was the epilogue. I was left wanting more and should there somehow be another book where they show up, well maybe that four would become a five!
October 9, 2016
A student /teacher romance (sort of). Grad student and slightly older professor. Likeable characters though Maren could do to lighten up a bit. Malcolm only had her best interests at heart. Read it if you want to know what I'm alluding to!
Anyway, I was going to give up on this as it got off to a slow start with long-winded descriptions. Then, suddenly things picked up! Romance, heartbreak, drama. Just what I like! Couldn't put it down!
I was hooked!
Anyway, I was going to give up on this as it got off to a slow start with long-winded descriptions. Then, suddenly things picked up! Romance, heartbreak, drama. Just what I like! Couldn't put it down!
I was hooked!
October 23, 2014
Loved this book, it was awesome and very well written.
Words escape me to explain how much I enjoyed reading Fall Semester. I am looking forward to reading other works written by this author.
:)
Words escape me to explain how much I enjoyed reading Fall Semester. I am looking forward to reading other works written by this author.
:)
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March 18, 2015great book but slow start
First off, I love love love this book. I fell in love with all the characters. The beginning is a little slow, but get through it and it will be worth it!!!
First off, I love love love this book. I fell in love with all the characters. The beginning is a little slow, but get through it and it will be worth it!!!
June 4, 2015
Very good and easy read.Well written and kept my attention . Couldn't put it down once I started.
It also stayed on my mind throughout the day as I couldn't wait to pick it up again!
Can't wait to read more books from Stephanie Fournet
It also stayed on my mind throughout the day as I couldn't wait to pick it up again!
Can't wait to read more books from Stephanie Fournet
November 4, 2016
Almost DNF a couple of times.
Being in Dr. Vashal head was like torture. Especially in beginning.
Also it felt like the author got too descriptive and threw in lot of unnecessary details for my taste.
Being in Dr. Vashal head was like torture. Especially in beginning.
Also it felt like the author got too descriptive and threw in lot of unnecessary details for my taste.
December 6, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this book!! Characters were great, and it wasn't a typical Professor/Student fluff. Real life issues such as mental illness/sickness made this more relatable and enjoyable. Bonus mention of an Incubus song too!
April 12, 2014
This is a great book... needs more publicity. I feel bad for the reading enthusiasts who skip over this gem.
September 20, 2014
I looooooved this book! Stephanie Fournet is an amazing writer! 5 stars ++++++
October 1, 2015
3.5 stars. This book is so sad and heartbreaking! I cried for these characters, how could you not? I'm glad Malcolm & Maren got their happy ending, which they both deserve.
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