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Evergreen University #2
Callback
Luca
My life has always boiled down to two words: be good.
Be good because your grandparents didn’t have to take you in when your dad abandoned you. Be good so you can get a scholarship for college. Be good… and don’t tell anyone what happened freshman year.
But when Maddox Levine tells me I’m good, all the stress, all the worry… it fades away. Being good for him makes me feel like I’m floating… but wanting to be good for my professor…
That might be the thing that makes me fall.
Maddox
I’ve spent twenty years ignoring my past, never allowing my frozen heart to thaw for anyone. I’ve kept most people at arm’s length, my attitude ensuring no one gets too close.
Then I meet Luca and he cracks something inside me that’s been locked up for decades. He’s soft… innocent… sweet. More than I deserve. But that doesn’t stop me from wanting.
Or showing him a whole new world.
Callback is a dark themed MM Romance between a closed-off professor and his shy TA trying to navigate their forbidden relationship. Expect high heat, a possessive older man, and two people discovering that the only thing they really need is each other.
My life has always boiled down to two words: be good.
Be good because your grandparents didn’t have to take you in when your dad abandoned you. Be good so you can get a scholarship for college. Be good… and don’t tell anyone what happened freshman year.
But when Maddox Levine tells me I’m good, all the stress, all the worry… it fades away. Being good for him makes me feel like I’m floating… but wanting to be good for my professor…
That might be the thing that makes me fall.
Maddox
I’ve spent twenty years ignoring my past, never allowing my frozen heart to thaw for anyone. I’ve kept most people at arm’s length, my attitude ensuring no one gets too close.
Then I meet Luca and he cracks something inside me that’s been locked up for decades. He’s soft… innocent… sweet. More than I deserve. But that doesn’t stop me from wanting.
Or showing him a whole new world.
Callback is a dark themed MM Romance between a closed-off professor and his shy TA trying to navigate their forbidden relationship. Expect high heat, a possessive older man, and two people discovering that the only thing they really need is each other.
266 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 30, 2026
370 people are currently reading
2204 people want to read
About the author
Lee McCormick
22 books519 followersLee McCormick has been writing since they were very young, and they've finally found the courage to offer up some of their favorite ideas to the world. Parent to two amazing kids and three pretty fantastic dogs, they've always been fascinated with dark romance and love that transcends time and reason.
When they aren't busy working on their novels, you can usually find them browsing queer romance recommendations or playing a video game.
When they aren't busy working on their novels, you can usually find them browsing queer romance recommendations or playing a video game.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 238 reviews
May 3, 2026
OH, SO THIS IS ROMANCE NOW???????🙄 INTERESTING… I’LL SEE MYSELF OUT.
Want to Read
November 22, 2025won't be surprised if it's professor levine
won-t-read-bc-nopes
May 5, 2026Just adding to the Nopes list. Possibly still great for those who love this author! But many thanks to @Emna for filling me in on it not working for me with a ton of consistent and continued comparisons to the former lover one MC loved and was dumped by, like 20 years ago, and is still very much hung up on today, and keeps thinking about while with the other MC. Through the entire book, and never does seem like the actual MC is quite as good. That sounds about as romantic as clipping toenails for me.
May 6, 2026
Воно смішне і хтиве.
Все
Але якщо сильно вдуматись в логіку, то цю пару я не бачу. Якісь вони мені сильно різні. Ще й обидва з травмами.
А вчинок Медокса в кінці🤦🏻♀️ звідки це взялося у персонажа? Якщо прописувати агресивний власницький тип, то це не завжди виливається у illegal business.
А так прикольно.
Наступна пара Рас і Ашер
Все
Але якщо сильно вдуматись в логіку, то цю пару я не бачу. Якісь вони мені сильно різні. Ще й обидва з травмами.
А вчинок Медокса в кінці🤦🏻♀️ звідки це взялося у персонажа? Якщо прописувати агресивний власницький тип, то це не завжди виливається у illegal business.
А так прикольно.
Наступна пара Рас і Ашер
May 2, 2026
First I DNF’d this but decided to fastread until the end -unfortunately it didn’t really get better for me.
I didn’t really like either of the main characters that much. Luca is sweet, but way too helpless for my taste; he can't get a word out, he's often tearing up -his sensitivity was somehow excessive, and he just dithers around for the first 40%.
Maddox.. why is he such a jerk just for the sake of being a jerk? For example, I don’t get how he talks about his students: ”Why Justin thought it was okay is beyond me, but he’s dropped from my rolls. I honestly hope that fucker fails…” I mean, even if Justin wasn’t the nicest person out there, it’s a student/professor situation and this was just because he said that Maddox’s class was easy credit (I’m sure almost all students do this), just felt weird.
It also kind of frustrated me how often the author brings up Maddox's previous relationship in his inner monologue, but without any further context: ”Not going there. It’s been over twenty years. I need to keep a lid on that fucking box.”
and
”I have to be careful, though. The last time I felt even marginally this good, I— No, I won’t think that.”
Too many times, just bugged me—and nothing more was revealed for a while. And then when it became clear what had happened, I was just like... okay.. that was it? I mean, it wasn’t nothing but after all that build up. And like he stated, this was over 20 years ago!!
He also kept comparing Luca to that ex.
And his best friend annoyed me too 😂 The one scene where she knows Maddox needs to go after Luca, but she won’t let him go at first and wants to talk (as if that conversation couldn’t have waited), but then she says “Go after him. I can tell he’s a sensitive kid. Don’t leave him hanging after he just thought his entire future was going to go up in smoke.” WELL HE WAS GOING TO GO before you stopped him for no good reason!! 🫠😂
Also, the sub/dom dynamic that they have wasn’t executed that well, it felt rushed and lacking to me. Especially considering that Luca was virgin before this, having done nothing.
And two professors in the same school chasing after a student 20 years their junior..?
There were just too many things I didn't like versus things I did like. Spice was good and loved how Mad called Luca ’little lamb’.
I didn’t really like either of the main characters that much. Luca is sweet, but way too helpless for my taste; he can't get a word out, he's often tearing up -his sensitivity was somehow excessive, and he just dithers around for the first 40%.
Maddox.. why is he such a jerk just for the sake of being a jerk? For example, I don’t get how he talks about his students: ”Why Justin thought it was okay is beyond me, but he’s dropped from my rolls. I honestly hope that fucker fails…” I mean, even if Justin wasn’t the nicest person out there, it’s a student/professor situation and this was just because he said that Maddox’s class was easy credit (I’m sure almost all students do this), just felt weird.
It also kind of frustrated me how often the author brings up Maddox's previous relationship in his inner monologue, but without any further context: ”Not going there. It’s been over twenty years. I need to keep a lid on that fucking box.”
and
”I have to be careful, though. The last time I felt even marginally this good, I— No, I won’t think that.”
Too many times, just bugged me—and nothing more was revealed for a while. And then when it became clear what had happened, I was just like... okay.. that was it? I mean, it wasn’t nothing but after all that build up. And like he stated, this was over 20 years ago!!
He also kept comparing Luca to that ex.
And his best friend annoyed me too 😂 The one scene where she knows Maddox needs to go after Luca, but she won’t let him go at first and wants to talk (as if that conversation couldn’t have waited), but then she says “Go after him. I can tell he’s a sensitive kid. Don’t leave him hanging after he just thought his entire future was going to go up in smoke.” WELL HE WAS GOING TO GO before you stopped him for no good reason!! 🫠😂
Also, the sub/dom dynamic that they have wasn’t executed that well, it felt rushed and lacking to me. Especially considering that Luca was virgin before this, having done nothing.
And two professors in the same school chasing after a student 20 years their junior..?
There were just too many things I didn't like versus things I did like. Spice was good and loved how Mad called Luca ’little lamb’.
May 3, 2026
I was so ridiculously excited about this book 💛
And I was not disappointed at all!
Age gap and professor/student is high up on my favourite trope list!
And I was not disappointed at all!
Age gap and professor/student is high up on my favourite trope list!
April 27, 2026
Okay I was not expecting this to be as RIDICULOUSLY cute as it was dirty. I loooooved how sweet, tender, patient, and kind Maddox was. This whole book was just green flag after green flag. These two were absolutely perfect for each other. Loved it!
Read
June 22, 2025Mal posso esperar pela história do Luca e quero a história do Asher e Russ pra ontem
April 30, 2026
I almost forgot I was reading a dark romance until something happened and then my jaw fell to the floor. 5 stars. I ate this the fuck up.
May 1, 2026
3.5-3.75⭐
That was a bit messy, imo.
This book had a lot of potential. I’m a little bit disappointed 😫
The relationship between them was very quick, and the characters felt pretty surface-level. They had interesting dynamics on paper, but I didn’t feel much depth while reading. 😭😭😭
I still somewhat enjoyed reading it, but I definitely won't reread it.
That was a bit messy, imo.
This book had a lot of potential. I’m a little bit disappointed 😫
The relationship between them was very quick, and the characters felt pretty surface-level. They had interesting dynamics on paper, but I didn’t feel much depth while reading. 😭😭😭
I still somewhat enjoyed reading it, but I definitely won't reread it.
May 2, 2026
3.75⭐️
We revisit Evergreen U with a brand new dynamic, and this book has a completely different vibe from book one. This is a dommy prof and a subby TA forbidden relationship romance.
It’s a little cliché and very tropey, but definitely does the job and was a quick and entertaining read. Definitely put this on your list if you like professor / uni student romance or age gap!
We revisit Evergreen U with a brand new dynamic, and this book has a completely different vibe from book one. This is a dommy prof and a subby TA forbidden relationship romance.
It’s a little cliché and very tropey, but definitely does the job and was a quick and entertaining read. Definitely put this on your list if you like professor / uni student romance or age gap!
May 9, 2026
7/10 Професор і асистент-твінк. В асистента цього страх всього і сором за самого себе, така бідося, простигосподи😅 Але авторка пише так, що віриш їй. Перша книга мені більше зайшла, проте ця теж непогана
May 3, 2026
This had the same pet peeve as the previous book I read but for some reason it didn't bother me as much. Maybe because it doesn't last till the very end ?
I just had a few niggles:
-Zandy is supposed to be Luca's bestie/roommate but they barely interact?
- They're supposed to be in a SECRET relationship, but they're so comfortable that Maddox sets up a spotlight on stage for them to get freaky?! In SCHOOL?! While they have a whole house and a sex club they can play at?! You'd think that they would've been seen due to not being able to control themselves from passion or something, maybe they hadn't been able to see each other in a while.. but setting up the stage doesnt seem spontaneous! Ugh 🤦♀️
- that leads to the blackmail. The video is on the phone and there's no mention of it being erased when Maddox deals with the creepy teacher?! I couldnt focus on the rest of the story because I thought it was going to come back up. 😭 tho I guess the police wouldn't need to investigate if they didnt suspect foul play it still felt like a loose end!😭
-Maddox never tells Luca what he did but Luca suspects it, they never talk about it. 😵💫
-I wanted a further out look at their HFN but I get it's a series and since Zaddy's engagement got announced here I wouldn't be surprised if this couple's HEA probably gets mentioned in a future book.
For my safety pals:
Luca is getting hot and bothered and jerks off listening to his roommate get railed by his bf. (Book 1 MCs) it sparks something in him and makes him question what he's into. He's a virgin.
Luca goes to a club to try to figure out what he's interested in and it happens to be the same club that Maddox went to to try to find a hook up since his friends convinced him to go out with them but he's not interested in anyone and goes to leave and that's when he runs into Luca. Neither of them are with anyone else after meeting. 🥰
I just had a few niggles:
-Zandy is supposed to be Luca's bestie/roommate but they barely interact?
- They're supposed to be in a SECRET relationship, but they're so comfortable that Maddox sets up a spotlight on stage for them to get freaky?! In SCHOOL?! While they have a whole house and a sex club they can play at?! You'd think that they would've been seen due to not being able to control themselves from passion or something, maybe they hadn't been able to see each other in a while.. but setting up the stage doesnt seem spontaneous! Ugh 🤦♀️
- that leads to the blackmail. The video is on the phone and there's no mention of it being erased when Maddox deals with the creepy teacher?! I couldnt focus on the rest of the story because I thought it was going to come back up. 😭 tho I guess the police wouldn't need to investigate if they didnt suspect foul play it still felt like a loose end!😭
-Maddox never tells Luca what he did but Luca suspects it, they never talk about it. 😵💫
-I wanted a further out look at their HFN but I get it's a series and since Zaddy's engagement got announced here I wouldn't be surprised if this couple's HEA probably gets mentioned in a future book.
For my safety pals:
Luca is getting hot and bothered and jerks off listening to his roommate get railed by his bf. (Book 1 MCs) it sparks something in him and makes him question what he's into. He's a virgin.
Luca goes to a club to try to figure out what he's interested in and it happens to be the same club that Maddox went to to try to find a hook up since his friends convinced him to go out with them but he's not interested in anyone and goes to leave and that's when he runs into Luca. Neither of them are with anyone else after meeting. 🥰
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2026
"All that I want is to live in the weight of his gaze and the feel of him filling me up for the rest of my life."
Callback is book 2 in the Evergreen University series by Lee McCormick and RS McKenzie and this is Maddox and Luca's story.
Whilst I absolutely LOVED book 1 Blitz'd and I love both of these author's individual works, Callback just didn't hit the same for me.
What To Expect:
🖤MM romance
🖤Age gap
🖤College TA/Professor
🖤Some dark themes
🖤Dom/sub vibes
🖤Virgin MC
🖤Steamy first times
🖤HEA
3.5 stars
Callback is book 2 in the Evergreen University series by Lee McCormick and RS McKenzie and this is Maddox and Luca's story.
Whilst I absolutely LOVED book 1 Blitz'd and I love both of these author's individual works, Callback just didn't hit the same for me.
What To Expect:
🖤MM romance
🖤Age gap
🖤College TA/Professor
🖤Some dark themes
🖤Dom/sub vibes
🖤Virgin MC
🖤Steamy first times
🖤HEA
3.5 stars
Did Not Finish
May 10, 2026DNF at 35% 😢
May 1, 2026
I love a good age gap/professor X student story! Sometimes they can come off a little predatory but this one was done well. The spice was SPICIN but the love story was also sweet.
The *event* at the end felt a little like it came from left field though. It wasn’t a dark book until *that* moment, so it felt a little out of character. But a great read anyway, I inhaled it!
The *event* at the end felt a little like it came from left field though. It wasn’t a dark book until *that* moment, so it felt a little out of character. But a great read anyway, I inhaled it!
May 7, 2026
Apparently I’m in my one-star era, so…lazy writers, consider yourselves warned.
Or maybe that’s not entirely fair. I think the real issue is that Lee McCormick just isn’t for me. I can’t even fully articulate it beyond this: the writing feels like a watered-down echo of a mish-mosh of better books I’ve already read. Nothing here felt original…more like a patchwork of familiar ideas without the execution to make them land.
Case in point: the Professor Hilman resolution felt lifted straight out of God of Fury. I didn’t even love it there, but at least it had energy and teamwork behind it. Here, it just felt deeply ridiculous.
The age gap also didn’t work for me. I like an age gap, but 20 years—literally twice someone’s age—starts to strain my comfort level. I love that they drive 90 minutes for a date to avoid being recognized as professor/TA, but they’re not worried that they look like a father making out with his son?
And what was up with Maddox being emotionally stuck on a college relationship for 20 years? With that level of buildup, I was bracing for A Little Life-level trauma. Spoiler alert, there is no need to gird your loins. He dragged that shit.
The romance and sex could have saved this. I love a shy virgin with a praise kink—truly, catnip for me—but the book abandons that dynamic almost immediately. Luca goes from “never been touched” to suddenly confident, initiating, and engaging in behavior that doesn’t remotely track with how he was written. Second time around and he’s presumably prepping himself and committing somnophilia. It felt like the characters bent to fit whatever trope the scene required instead of the other way around.
That’s kind of the core problem: it reads like trope bingo. Throw in age gap, toss in some darkness, sprinkle random violence whether it fits or not. If you’re lucky, maybe you’ll catch readers from every subgenre. But instead of blending into something compelling, it just feels disjointed.
I finished it solely because it’s short.
That is not a good enough reason.
I sincerely apologize to myself for the time I will never get back.
Or maybe that’s not entirely fair. I think the real issue is that Lee McCormick just isn’t for me. I can’t even fully articulate it beyond this: the writing feels like a watered-down echo of a mish-mosh of better books I’ve already read. Nothing here felt original…more like a patchwork of familiar ideas without the execution to make them land.
Case in point: the Professor Hilman resolution felt lifted straight out of God of Fury. I didn’t even love it there, but at least it had energy and teamwork behind it. Here, it just felt deeply ridiculous.
The age gap also didn’t work for me. I like an age gap, but 20 years—literally twice someone’s age—starts to strain my comfort level. I love that they drive 90 minutes for a date to avoid being recognized as professor/TA, but they’re not worried that they look like a father making out with his son?
And what was up with Maddox being emotionally stuck on a college relationship for 20 years? With that level of buildup, I was bracing for A Little Life-level trauma. Spoiler alert, there is no need to gird your loins. He dragged that shit.
The romance and sex could have saved this. I love a shy virgin with a praise kink—truly, catnip for me—but the book abandons that dynamic almost immediately. Luca goes from “never been touched” to suddenly confident, initiating, and engaging in behavior that doesn’t remotely track with how he was written. Second time around and he’s presumably prepping himself and committing somnophilia. It felt like the characters bent to fit whatever trope the scene required instead of the other way around.
That’s kind of the core problem: it reads like trope bingo. Throw in age gap, toss in some darkness, sprinkle random violence whether it fits or not. If you’re lucky, maybe you’ll catch readers from every subgenre. But instead of blending into something compelling, it just feels disjointed.
I finished it solely because it’s short.
That is not a good enough reason.
I sincerely apologize to myself for the time I will never get back.
May 10, 2026
Okay sooo, I have mixed feelings about this one. I feel like Luca & Maddox’s relationship progressed way too quick, especially considering Luca had never been with anyone before Maddox. The way they jumped straight into things felt very rushed. I also feel like we never got to really know them that well? Everything was just kinda surface level & I felt like we maybe needed more character development from them. Also, Maddox murdering hilman near the end really threw me for a loop 🫣 and what the hell was up with the blowjob on a stage at school when they’re supposed to be in a “secret” relationship? They literally got caught 😭
I also hated that Maddox thought about his ex so much, yet was all “ok this was 20 years ago, gotta get over it” (but he basically never did, like come on sir). It felt like he compared Luca to him a lot & I just wasn’t a fan of that.
I did feel like Maddox was pretty tender & sweet with Luca and made him feel safe so I liked that. He was such a shy ball of anxiety & honestly that’s relatable to me. loved their date at the restaurant, that was super sweet!
Overall, I’m a little disappointed with this one & I definitely enjoyed the first book a lot more. I usually don’t give half stars but I feel like I can’t choose between 3 & 4, so this gets a 3.5. I’ll still read the next book in the series.
Fav parts:
“Oh, sweet Luca. My sweet, sweet Luca. God, I’d give you everything you’ve ever wanted. You just have to tell me and it’s yours. I’d give you the fucking moon if you asked.” Because he already has my heart.
I also hated that Maddox thought about his ex so much, yet was all “ok this was 20 years ago, gotta get over it” (but he basically never did, like come on sir). It felt like he compared Luca to him a lot & I just wasn’t a fan of that.
I did feel like Maddox was pretty tender & sweet with Luca and made him feel safe so I liked that. He was such a shy ball of anxiety & honestly that’s relatable to me. loved their date at the restaurant, that was super sweet!
Overall, I’m a little disappointed with this one & I definitely enjoyed the first book a lot more. I usually don’t give half stars but I feel like I can’t choose between 3 & 4, so this gets a 3.5. I’ll still read the next book in the series.
Fav parts:
“Oh, sweet Luca. My sweet, sweet Luca. God, I’d give you everything you’ve ever wanted. You just have to tell me and it’s yours. I’d give you the fucking moon if you asked.” Because he already has my heart.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2026
This was fun to read! I really enjoyed the story, which felt a bit over the top. I loved how intense it all was! Maddox just felt so all consuming and I loved his dominant ways. Luca was so sweet, cute and the most gentle person, and I loved how brave and adventurous he was after meeting Maddox. I loved seeing Maddox take care of Luca, and even scold him for not eating.
I really enjoyed their dynamic and how respectful Maddox was. I was never afraid of him not listening to Luca. It was great to see Luca be brave and use his safeword when he didn't like or want something.
The story was fast paced and intense and I loved every moment of it! So, if you'd like to read about a Professor and a TA, with possessive and obsessive vibes and a nice helping of praise then this is the book for you.
I really enjoyed their dynamic and how respectful Maddox was. I was never afraid of him not listening to Luca. It was great to see Luca be brave and use his safeword when he didn't like or want something.
The story was fast paced and intense and I loved every moment of it! So, if you'd like to read about a Professor and a TA, with possessive and obsessive vibes and a nice helping of praise then this is the book for you.
May 8, 2026
Luca + Maddox
-mm forbidden romance
-professor/student
-grumpy x sunshine
-possessive mc
-hurt/comfort
-age gap
this was a good forbidden story & the professor/student aspect was the great amount of angsty given both the mcs past! it made it sooo juicyy! good quick read!
-mm forbidden romance
-professor/student
-grumpy x sunshine
-possessive mc
-hurt/comfort
-age gap
this was a good forbidden story & the professor/student aspect was the great amount of angsty given both the mcs past! it made it sooo juicyy! good quick read!
May 3, 2026
Never should the words “little lamb” and “pucker” share the same page.
May 7, 2026
4.2 ⭐️
spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
format: ebook
this was fun and fast-paced and super spicy. always appreciate a teacher/student dynamic and a possessive mmc. it was equal parts cute and unhinged and i really enjoyed it.
very light on plot and mostly character-driven. and it did feel a little rushed and aimless at times, but i still really enjoyed it.
spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
format: ebook
this was fun and fast-paced and super spicy. always appreciate a teacher/student dynamic and a possessive mmc. it was equal parts cute and unhinged and i really enjoyed it.
very light on plot and mostly character-driven. and it did feel a little rushed and aimless at times, but i still really enjoyed it.
May 3, 2026
2.5 stars rounded up (The authors lucked out cuz the last thing I added to this was the quotes and I remembered the parts I loved about it)
Ugh so fucking frustrating. I honestly can't decide if I want to round up to 3 because I loved Blitz'd so much and I'm grateful to this duo for writing it, or if I wanna round down to 2 as punishment for having this be the follow up.
I think the most frustrating part of this for me is that there was so much built in ahead of time for me to love this that very little effort would have made this a win for me. I loved Blitz'd so I already had positive feelings going in to this and was prepared to ignore the weird "dark" element they throw in these. I LOVE a strong central D/s dynamic. And, while I don't love student/teacher pairings, I do love having an external issue being the thing that keeps MCs apart, which is what I assumed that element was going to serve as here. Really, so little needed to be done for me to love this and they borked it.
Based on the dynamic between the MCs I should've been feral about these guys. A sweet inexperienced sub who just wants to be good? A caretaking consent king pleasure Dom who dishes out the praise? Luca instinctively feeling like Maddox was a safe place for him? Maddox showing Luca how much pleasure his body could experience? Luca gaining the confidence to tell Maddox what he wanted? Telling him "more"? God, yes to all of this shit! This is the reason any stars were given at all. And yet... the sex was also occasionally... boring? Idk how to describe it. Some of the scenes I loved but others were lacking something - I think perhaps there wasn't enough exploration for me.
Luca was adorable and I actually did like his character quite a lot. I think he had just enough of an arc where you could see how he was gaining more confidence and was able to stand up for himself a little more. And I always love seeing an MC come into their sexuality. I do wish we had gotten to see more of him outside of the bubble of the relationship (like in his other classes or with friends) to round him out more.
Maddox was the biggest problem for me. I am fucking sick of reading about MCs who were hurt by an ex and have decided that it needs to dictate the REST OF THEIR LIVES. And Maddox is thinking about this shit from the first moment we meet him. Like, excessively. It has been 20 goddamn years since the offending ex has hurt this man, and he's decided that he'll just stay hurt about it for 20 more apparently. It feels like lazy writing to me - I'm sure there are stories where it works but this ain't one of them. And when we finally, FINALLY get to hear the whole sordid tale? It was flat out stupid. That's what's been holding him back all this time? And in what universe would anyone compare Luca to that guy? Make it make sense!
Bedroom Maddox may have been a certified 10, but Daytime Maddox who won't offer Luca anything more than a physical arrangement, fully knowing that it isn't fair to Luca but doing it anyway? That guy can fuck off to the moon. I don't need to hear your constant internal monologue where you compare Luca to him when 1) there is nothing to compare because Luca is a literal angel and 2) you already fucking know there's no comparing and you're into him but you're gonna just be a problem for no reason. In the year 2026 I would like to move on from this.
Aside from that shit, I also didn't like how most of the plot was handled. I didn't like how the thing with the creep was handled. I didn't like the "dark" element here - it was way more off than even Kerian's sociopathy in the first one. I didn't like the mental gymnastics needed to explain why Luca was even Maddox's TA to begin with. I didn't like how they existed in a vacuum. And I didn't like how Maddox was kind of a dick to his one and only friend.
There were genuinely some good scenes in here, and I did appreciate that the moment Maddox decided to get his head out of his ass he was all in. They were sweet together and I wish more time had been given to the development of the relationship (like their dates and the kink exploration) and less on the merry-go-round of Maddox's thoughts in the beginning (seriously, the amount of page time spent on that repetition was CRAZY). But between the ridiculously unnecessary ex drama and the fact that most of the overall plot wasn't hitting for me, I'm just feeling really disappointed.
I'm not even sure I will care enough to read Asher and Russ' book. We'll see how I feel about it once the time comes but this absolutely did not live up to my love of Blitz'd.
Pet name: little lamb, Professor
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Safety (may contain spoilers)
SA/rape: In Luca's freshman year he had a professor corner him and kiss him and put his hands down his pants despite Luca's protests. It was interrupted before anything worse could happen. This was recounted on page but not super detailed. The same professor manages to corner Luca again in present time but Luca is able to push him away and escape.
Other person drama: Luca is completely inexperienced both sexually and romantically. Maddox is the first person he's ever been interested in. Maddox has only had casual sex for the last 20 years because he's still in his feels about being betrayed by an ex. He is never with anyone else or interested in anyone else during the course of the book and there are no details about his hookups. It's totally safe.
Ugh so fucking frustrating. I honestly can't decide if I want to round up to 3 because I loved Blitz'd so much and I'm grateful to this duo for writing it, or if I wanna round down to 2 as punishment for having this be the follow up.
I think the most frustrating part of this for me is that there was so much built in ahead of time for me to love this that very little effort would have made this a win for me. I loved Blitz'd so I already had positive feelings going in to this and was prepared to ignore the weird "dark" element they throw in these. I LOVE a strong central D/s dynamic. And, while I don't love student/teacher pairings, I do love having an external issue being the thing that keeps MCs apart, which is what I assumed that element was going to serve as here. Really, so little needed to be done for me to love this and they borked it.
Based on the dynamic between the MCs I should've been feral about these guys. A sweet inexperienced sub who just wants to be good? A caretaking consent king pleasure Dom who dishes out the praise? Luca instinctively feeling like Maddox was a safe place for him? Maddox showing Luca how much pleasure his body could experience? Luca gaining the confidence to tell Maddox what he wanted? Telling him "more"? God, yes to all of this shit! This is the reason any stars were given at all. And yet... the sex was also occasionally... boring? Idk how to describe it. Some of the scenes I loved but others were lacking something - I think perhaps there wasn't enough exploration for me.
Luca was adorable and I actually did like his character quite a lot. I think he had just enough of an arc where you could see how he was gaining more confidence and was able to stand up for himself a little more. And I always love seeing an MC come into their sexuality. I do wish we had gotten to see more of him outside of the bubble of the relationship (like in his other classes or with friends) to round him out more.
Maddox was the biggest problem for me. I am fucking sick of reading about MCs who were hurt by an ex and have decided that it needs to dictate the REST OF THEIR LIVES. And Maddox is thinking about this shit from the first moment we meet him. Like, excessively. It has been 20 goddamn years since the offending ex has hurt this man, and he's decided that he'll just stay hurt about it for 20 more apparently. It feels like lazy writing to me - I'm sure there are stories where it works but this ain't one of them. And when we finally, FINALLY get to hear the whole sordid tale? It was flat out stupid. That's what's been holding him back all this time? And in what universe would anyone compare Luca to that guy? Make it make sense!
Bedroom Maddox may have been a certified 10, but Daytime Maddox who won't offer Luca anything more than a physical arrangement, fully knowing that it isn't fair to Luca but doing it anyway? That guy can fuck off to the moon. I don't need to hear your constant internal monologue where you compare Luca to him when 1) there is nothing to compare because Luca is a literal angel and 2) you already fucking know there's no comparing and you're into him but you're gonna just be a problem for no reason. In the year 2026 I would like to move on from this.
Aside from that shit, I also didn't like how most of the plot was handled. I didn't like how the thing with the creep was handled. I didn't like the "dark" element here - it was way more off than even Kerian's sociopathy in the first one. I didn't like the mental gymnastics needed to explain why Luca was even Maddox's TA to begin with. I didn't like how they existed in a vacuum. And I didn't like how Maddox was kind of a dick to his one and only friend.
There were genuinely some good scenes in here, and I did appreciate that the moment Maddox decided to get his head out of his ass he was all in. They were sweet together and I wish more time had been given to the development of the relationship (like their dates and the kink exploration) and less on the merry-go-round of Maddox's thoughts in the beginning (seriously, the amount of page time spent on that repetition was CRAZY). But between the ridiculously unnecessary ex drama and the fact that most of the overall plot wasn't hitting for me, I'm just feeling really disappointed.
I'm not even sure I will care enough to read Asher and Russ' book. We'll see how I feel about it once the time comes but this absolutely did not live up to my love of Blitz'd.
Pet name: little lamb, Professor
“Don’t be so nervous, Mr. Archer. I’m sure you’re going to do good.” Good. The word strikes me in the center of the chest and makes my mouth go dry. “I definitely want to be good for you…” My face goes crimson the instant the words come out of my mouth, and I nearly choke on my own spit inhaling to correct myself. “I mean… do good. Do a good job for you, Professor Levine. I want to do a good job. For you.”
“I can shut your brain off if that’s what you want. I can make it so you don’t think about anything but the words I say to you. Do you want that?”
I raise my eyes and look at him almost helplessly. “I’ve never wanted to feel good with someone before.” “Until now?” The heat in his eyes explodes, and I feel like I’m being swallowed up by the sun. “Until now.”
“You’ll take care of me?” I don’t want the question to come out so soft and unsure, but it does. That only seems to solidify the warmth in his expression, because he presses another kiss to the corner of my mouth when he speaks. “All I want to do is take care of you,” he murmurs, his words sounding more like a confession of sin than admission of desire.
“Can I show you how good you are, Luca?”
I’m caught up on the way his fingers gently skate up and down along my sides… the way he keeps checking in with me. The way that, even though I’m practically paralyzed under the weight of his attention… I’m somehow still in control. It’s that last bit of knowledge that gives me the strength to summon up a word. One word. That same word again. “More.”
“Oh… Luca… what am I going to do with you?” Even as he says it, I want to answer. Keep me. Please… just keep me.
“I want you to take me into that club and show me what would have happened that first night if I hadn’t run away.” I raise my gaze to his, and crash under the waves of heat in his eyes. “Show me what it would really mean to be yours.”
“Everything I am was made for you.”So, I'm mad at this book but like... THIS QUOTE
“Come on, Professor… show me how to be good.”
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Safety (may contain spoilers)
SA/rape: In Luca's freshman year he had a professor corner him and kiss him and put his hands down his pants despite Luca's protests. It was interrupted before anything worse could happen. This was recounted on page but not super detailed. The same professor manages to corner Luca again in present time but Luca is able to push him away and escape.
Other person drama: Luca is completely inexperienced both sexually and romantically. Maddox is the first person he's ever been interested in. Maddox has only had casual sex for the last 20 years because he's still in his feels about being betrayed by an ex. He is never with anyone else or interested in anyone else during the course of the book and there are no details about his hookups. It's totally safe.
May 10, 2026
5 powerful Stars
⭐ |
5
🌶️
ARC Read: 27/04/2026
I received this ebook for free from the author and I'm leaving this review of my own accord. Thank you Lee McCormick & R.S. McKenzie for this gift. 🥰
What to expect from this book? 🤔
🫶 MM Dark College Romance
💜 High Heat
🖤 Age Gap
🎭 Forbidden Romance
💜 Secret Relantionship
🖤 Grumpy x Sunshine
🎭 Size Diferrence
💜 Professor x TA
🖤 OTT Possessiveness
🎭 Dirty Talk
💜 Lots Of Blushing
🖤 D/S Dynamic
🎭 Consent King
💜 Safeword
🖤 First Times
🎭 Virgin MC
💜 Praise Kink
🖤 "Good Boy"
🎭 Pleasure Dom
💜 Begging
🖤 Rimming
🎭 Spanking
💜 Felching
🖤 Cockwarming
🎭 Voyerism
💜 "Little Lamb"
🖤 Worshipping
🎭 Caretaking
💜 Kink Club
🖤 Only Soft For Him
🎭 Hurt/Comfort
💜 HEA
ARC Read: 27/04/2026
I received this ebook for free from the author and I'm leaving this review of my own accord. Thank you Lee McCormick & R.S. McKenzie for this gift. 🥰
What to expect from this book? 🤔
🫶 MM Dark College Romance
💜 High Heat
🖤 Age Gap
🎭 Forbidden Romance
💜 Secret Relantionship
🖤 Grumpy x Sunshine
🎭 Size Diferrence
💜 Professor x TA
🖤 OTT Possessiveness
🎭 Dirty Talk
💜 Lots Of Blushing
🖤 D/S Dynamic
🎭 Consent King
💜 Safeword
🖤 First Times
🎭 Virgin MC
💜 Praise Kink
🖤 "Good Boy"
🎭 Pleasure Dom
💜 Begging
🖤 Rimming
🎭 Spanking
💜 Felching
🖤 Cockwarming
🎭 Voyerism
💜 "Little Lamb"
🖤 Worshipping
🎭 Caretaking
💜 Kink Club
🖤 Only Soft For Him
🎭 Hurt/Comfort
💜 HEA
✨✨✨✨Q✨u✨o✨t✨e✨✨✨✨
Luca: “You’ll take care of me?” I don’t want the question to come out so soft and unsure, but it does. That only seems to solidify the warmth in his expression, because he presses another kiss to the corner of my mouth when he speaks.
“All I want to do is take care of you,” he murmurs, his words sounding more like a confession of sin than admission of desire. Sin, promise, admission…
I don’t care.
“Please?”
✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨
Format: Ebook/ARC
Cover: 5/5
Series: Evergreen University Series #2
Story: 5/5
POV: Dual - 1st Person
Plot: 5/5
✨✨✨✨Q✨u✨o✨t✨e✨✨✨✨
"Maddox: My little lamb has taken up residence in my heart, a place only one other person has occupied. But this time, it’s honest. It’s real."
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Main Characters:
5/5 - Luca: 24yo, he/him, petnames: Little Lamb.
5/5 - Maddox Levine: 40s, he/him, nicknames: Professor
Side Characters: 5/5
Steam Level: 5/5
Romance: Medium High Focus
✨✨✨✨Q✨u✨o✨t✨e✨✨✨✨
Luca: “I want to know every part of you, Maddox.” Saying his name feels saccharine on my tongue, like sin… like all the wrong things I’ve ever been afraid to do finally spilling over me.
“Luca…” His voice is a torn mixture between a growl and a groan— almost painful, almost reverent.
“I want you to take me into that club and show me what would have happened that first night if I hadn’t run away.” I raise my gaze to his, and crash under the waves of heat in his eyes. “Show me what it would really mean to be yours.”
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Humor: Low Focus
Angst: Medium Focus
Cheating? No
The Ending: 5/5
HEA/HFN/Cliffhanger: HEA
Favorite character? Luca
Enjoyment: 5/5
✨✨✨✨Q✨u✨o✨t✨e✨✨✨✨
"Maddox: There’s no need to lie to myself anymore. Luca isn’t getting away from me. This is more than physical. It probably has been for a while. I just refused to see it."
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May 4, 2026
Bad…really bad. I’m beyond disappointed. I’m genuinely so freaking sad because I was looking forward to this book and it just didn’t hit right.
No depth, lazy storytelling and writing, fell in love with each other for absolutely no damn reason. When they declared their love for each other I was lost and confused.
Cos huhhh?
The story about Maddox’s ex? dumping Maddox because he wanted to be a trophy husband to a rich athlete? I mean sure, I believe you but it was written so poorly I laughed. Maybe another reason for the dumping would’ve worked.
It was just so bland, no depth, no substance just plain boring. Even the smut was boring yo 😭😭 I’m so hurt cos I wanted Luca’s book so bad.
Now idk if I give a fuck about Russ and Asher buttt I love Russ so i’ll tune in.
No depth, lazy storytelling and writing, fell in love with each other for absolutely no damn reason. When they declared their love for each other I was lost and confused.
Cos huhhh?
The story about Maddox’s ex? dumping Maddox because he wanted to be a trophy husband to a rich athlete? I mean sure, I believe you but it was written so poorly I laughed. Maybe another reason for the dumping would’ve worked.
It was just so bland, no depth, no substance just plain boring. Even the smut was boring yo 😭😭 I’m so hurt cos I wanted Luca’s book so bad.
Now idk if I give a fuck about Russ and Asher buttt I love Russ so i’ll tune in.
May 4, 2026
Started off bad and then it got worse and worse
Thank god this book was only 260 pages and even that was too much I pretty much just skimmed the last 100 pages
Thank god this book was only 260 pages and even that was too much I pretty much just skimmed the last 100 pages
May 11, 2026
Rating: 4/5 🌟
Spice: 3/5 🌶️
Characters: Luca and Maddox
This was a bit of a departure from book one in this series. This focuses mostly on Luca and Maddox and their relationship. It's also much sweeter. Lucas is such a soft sweet boy, and Maddox was the perfect counter for him. They complimented each other so well and had incredible chemistry.
I can't say too much about the story without giving away spoilers because the relationship is the majority of the plot. I thoroughly enjoyed this and am loving this series so much!
Spice: 3/5 🌶️
Characters: Luca and Maddox
This was a bit of a departure from book one in this series. This focuses mostly on Luca and Maddox and their relationship. It's also much sweeter. Lucas is such a soft sweet boy, and Maddox was the perfect counter for him. They complimented each other so well and had incredible chemistry.
I can't say too much about the story without giving away spoilers because the relationship is the majority of the plot. I thoroughly enjoyed this and am loving this series so much!
May 6, 2026
3.9
not more cause the way Maddox was still hanged up on something that happened twenty years ago and wasn’t even that deep was so ridiculous I laughed every time he brought it up. dumbass.
not more cause the way Maddox was still hanged up on something that happened twenty years ago and wasn’t even that deep was so ridiculous I laughed every time he brought it up. dumbass.
May 5, 2026
6 stars ⭐️
HOLY MOTHER OF PEARLS IM GONNA DISINTEGRATE
I was a puddle, then I turned into a damn lake I was crying so hard I love this book so much 😭😭
THIS STORY of Maddox and Luca this was so amazing and the way I knew I was drawn to Luca and when I knew why from the social worker/therapist part im studying social work and thinking about therapy so that connection alone makes me connect with this story it felt like more than a story this was like a dream just cause it was soo good so real on so many aspects
Professor Maddox- YESSS SIR MR PROFESSOR WHATEVER YOU SAY MR YEARNING KING. Loved him from the very first sentence in his chapter he’s so amazing his character development throughout the whole book was so amazing to see how he legit became jello around Luca like this man became obsessed the him and I loved everything about it. The way he’s been through so much but still felt like he was becoming a better version of himself despite his past because of Luca like my heart. AND THAT ONE SCENE WITH THE OTHER PROFESSOR LIKE HE LEGIT YEETED THAT MAN OFF THE ROOF FOR HURTING HIS LITTLE LAMB HIS MAN) like if that doesn’t tell you how downbad this man is like don’t touch his man like he became even hotter after that scene im not kidding I screamed and then basically f^cked Luca hard that he left scratches and basically said “I’ll see these scratches the pain and think of him the night I said I loved him like WHAT A FREAKING MAN!!
Luca my precious little bean he was so amazing from the start I knew I had a connection I just didn’t know why I was so drawn to him till later on. But his character was so sweet but also he had gone so much in his life also and when he met Maddox his life changed and you could see how much he changed and fell in love with him but Luca because his sweet self even more then and became such a radiant soul that blessed everything really he was so real so beautiful but so down bad for Maddox too like okay babes I see you get that man… like these two were so kinky and they had so much chemistry from the start it was INTOXICATING HOW MUCH THEY HAD TENSION, and chemistry like AHH!!
Im gonna need a minute to process what I read this was freaking phenomenal I love Maddox and Luca so much ughh this was a whole experience ughh words can’t express how much I loved this it made me feel so many things but the love that was poured and shown in Maddox and Luca and in general was strong, it was really captivating, very touching very special this was everything and more, I don’t think I’m going to forget this book it’s going to be engraved into my brain forever I’m not kidding this book means so much to me rn
“I feel safe with him” GIRL I LOST MY MARBLES SO MANY TIMES
And the way Maddox said words I was intoxicated with what he said I was In love with him and I was the reader like his one liners literally swept me off my feet and sent me knot orbit like he kept saying things that like SWOON LIKE AHHH IM FLOATING IN PERFECTION
HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS ROLLERCOASTER OF EMOTIONS BUT ALSO AN EXPERIENCE THAT. YOU DONT WANNA PASS UP BUT ALSO YOU GOT TO FEEL THE INTOXICATION OF MADDOX AND LUCA
Ughh this was pure perfection all across the board I don’t know what to do now this book made me stare at a wall I was crying so hard ughh I LOVED THIS BOOK 😭😭🤍💋❤️
HOLY MOTHER OF PEARLS IM GONNA DISINTEGRATE
I was a puddle, then I turned into a damn lake I was crying so hard I love this book so much 😭😭
THIS STORY of Maddox and Luca this was so amazing and the way I knew I was drawn to Luca and when I knew why from the social worker/therapist part im studying social work and thinking about therapy so that connection alone makes me connect with this story it felt like more than a story this was like a dream just cause it was soo good so real on so many aspects
Professor Maddox- YESSS SIR MR PROFESSOR WHATEVER YOU SAY MR YEARNING KING. Loved him from the very first sentence in his chapter he’s so amazing his character development throughout the whole book was so amazing to see how he legit became jello around Luca like this man became obsessed the him and I loved everything about it. The way he’s been through so much but still felt like he was becoming a better version of himself despite his past because of Luca like my heart. AND THAT ONE SCENE WITH THE OTHER PROFESSOR LIKE HE LEGIT YEETED THAT MAN OFF THE ROOF FOR HURTING HIS LITTLE LAMB HIS MAN) like if that doesn’t tell you how downbad this man is like don’t touch his man like he became even hotter after that scene im not kidding I screamed and then basically f^cked Luca hard that he left scratches and basically said “I’ll see these scratches the pain and think of him the night I said I loved him like WHAT A FREAKING MAN!!
Luca my precious little bean he was so amazing from the start I knew I had a connection I just didn’t know why I was so drawn to him till later on. But his character was so sweet but also he had gone so much in his life also and when he met Maddox his life changed and you could see how much he changed and fell in love with him but Luca because his sweet self even more then and became such a radiant soul that blessed everything really he was so real so beautiful but so down bad for Maddox too like okay babes I see you get that man… like these two were so kinky and they had so much chemistry from the start it was INTOXICATING HOW MUCH THEY HAD TENSION, and chemistry like AHH!!
Im gonna need a minute to process what I read this was freaking phenomenal I love Maddox and Luca so much ughh this was a whole experience ughh words can’t express how much I loved this it made me feel so many things but the love that was poured and shown in Maddox and Luca and in general was strong, it was really captivating, very touching very special this was everything and more, I don’t think I’m going to forget this book it’s going to be engraved into my brain forever I’m not kidding this book means so much to me rn
“I feel safe with him” GIRL I LOST MY MARBLES SO MANY TIMES
And the way Maddox said words I was intoxicated with what he said I was In love with him and I was the reader like his one liners literally swept me off my feet and sent me knot orbit like he kept saying things that like SWOON LIKE AHHH IM FLOATING IN PERFECTION
HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS ROLLERCOASTER OF EMOTIONS BUT ALSO AN EXPERIENCE THAT. YOU DONT WANNA PASS UP BUT ALSO YOU GOT TO FEEL THE INTOXICATION OF MADDOX AND LUCA
Ughh this was pure perfection all across the board I don’t know what to do now this book made me stare at a wall I was crying so hard ughh I LOVED THIS BOOK 😭😭🤍💋❤️
May 2, 2026
I really enjoyed this one—honestly, it just wasn’t what I expected after reading Blitz’d. I went in thinking it would lean more toward dark romance, but instead it was a surprisingly sweet professor/TA age gap story, which ended up being a surprise. I’d give it a solid 3.5⭐️.
Luca was such a sweetheart. He came across a bit younger than his age in the way he struggled with anxiety and uncertainty about what he wanted, but that vulnerability made him really endearing at the same time. I appreciated seeing his confidence grow throughout the story, especially in his relationship with Maddox. I do wish we’d gotten a little more development there by the end, but I loved his kind nature and the beautiful relationship he had with his grandparents—it added so much heart to his character. I also found it really interesting that, in the end, he was the one to tell Maddox they should do the right thing—quit working together and be honest with the dean about their relationship. It showed a lot of growth and maturity, and I liked that it came from Luca rather than Maddox.
Maddox had that classic grumpy, guarded exterior, but with Luca he was incredibly soft, protective, and attentive. It definitely felt like insta-lust on Maddox’s side, but somehow it worked. I loved how focused he was on making Luca feel safe and cared for—major green flag energy. Their dynamic worked really well, with Luca slowly breaking down Maddox’s walls, and their connection felt both emotional and passionate. The chemistry between them was great, and the spice had a nice balance between romantic and super steamy.
The book is on the shorter side (under 300 pages), and honestly, that was my biggest “issue”—I just wanted more of everything. More relationship and character development, more exploration of the BDSM elements, more from the side characters, and a deeper dive into the subplot with Professor Hillman. There were so many interesting pieces that I would’ve loved to see expanded.
Overall, this was a sweet, low-angst read with an age-gap, slightly forbidden romance, lots of green flags, and delicious spice. Even though it left me wanting more, I genuinely had a great time reading it and would definitely recommend it.
Luca was such a sweetheart. He came across a bit younger than his age in the way he struggled with anxiety and uncertainty about what he wanted, but that vulnerability made him really endearing at the same time. I appreciated seeing his confidence grow throughout the story, especially in his relationship with Maddox. I do wish we’d gotten a little more development there by the end, but I loved his kind nature and the beautiful relationship he had with his grandparents—it added so much heart to his character. I also found it really interesting that, in the end, he was the one to tell Maddox they should do the right thing—quit working together and be honest with the dean about their relationship. It showed a lot of growth and maturity, and I liked that it came from Luca rather than Maddox.
Maddox had that classic grumpy, guarded exterior, but with Luca he was incredibly soft, protective, and attentive. It definitely felt like insta-lust on Maddox’s side, but somehow it worked. I loved how focused he was on making Luca feel safe and cared for—major green flag energy. Their dynamic worked really well, with Luca slowly breaking down Maddox’s walls, and their connection felt both emotional and passionate. The chemistry between them was great, and the spice had a nice balance between romantic and super steamy.
The book is on the shorter side (under 300 pages), and honestly, that was my biggest “issue”—I just wanted more of everything. More relationship and character development, more exploration of the BDSM elements, more from the side characters, and a deeper dive into the subplot with Professor Hillman. There were so many interesting pieces that I would’ve loved to see expanded.
Overall, this was a sweet, low-angst read with an age-gap, slightly forbidden romance, lots of green flags, and delicious spice. Even though it left me wanting more, I genuinely had a great time reading it and would definitely recommend it.
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