The Teacher

by Lee Jacquot

Luna Moss knows being married to the love of your life doesn’t mean the spark never flickers. Ten years, a house, a daughter, and a thousand responsibilities later, even the most passionate marriages can slip into autopilot.

But in Alpine Cove, routines are about to get rewritten.

With a glass of champagne in one hand and a mischievous idea in the other, Luna dares to ask What if, for just one night, she could forget she’s a wife and a mom… and become someone entirely new?

Trading PTA meetings for an adult art class, and a loving husband for a mysterious stranger.

Welcome to Kindling Night, where good girls become bad, strangers become lovers, and wives remember what it means to burn.

Genres: Novella, Romance, Contemporary, Adult, Contemporary Romance

60 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 8, 2025

About the author

Hey there! My name is Lee. I like to think of myself as a bibliophile who belongs to the Ravenclaw house.
I write romances that can sometimes be sweet and spicy or deadly and kinky. I'm a firm believer in happily ever afters and men who always make sure their woman is satisfied first.
When I'm not writing, I'm drowning myself in a good book, losing track of time on the Nintendo Switch with my kids, and laughing or yelling at one of my husbands practical jokes. (He likes to leave fake spiders and roaches around.)
Also, something important to note. I live off Chai and Dean Winchester.
Visit me on Instagram or TikTok to find out about upcoming releases and other fun things! @authorleejacquot

Reviews

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the concept of this entire series!! This one night only novella series follows a different couple in each book that pretends to be strangers for one night and we see as they act out a scene to get their relationships a fun little twist!

In this story we get Luna & Elias who act out as student x teacher in Lunas adult art class. As she’s finishing up, Elias stays after and asks for a private lesson & some fun ensues ;) it’s definitely painting with a twist hehe

A great little spicy novella that’ll give you an enjoyable & fun time!

Spice: 🌶️🌶️

[Jenna Giroux · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was cute and I really like the concept of this novella series but I did feel it was too short to actually care about the characters.

Will still read all the books when they release!

[cloudy · Rating 5 out of 5]

i've said it before and i will say it again, smutty novellas about married couples hit differently. this was such a quick, fun ready. can't wait for the next one.

* i was sent an arc by the author in exchange for a honest review

[Alisha Buchanan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Role Play✔️
Paint Play✔️
Orgasm Denial✔️✔️

Luna is ready to rekindle the heat in her relationship and my lorddd does her man know his role and deliver 😮‍💨

“Breathe, teach, I promise to make it look nice.”

This quick spicy read will leave you begging for more! I can’t wait for the rest of this series 🔥

[hea booktubes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Married couple role playing. It was fine.

[(betts) ⚜ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐ / 2🌶️
[📱] ebook

— vibezz
🔧 established couple
🎨 found family
🔧 spice up the relationship
🎨 art teacher x mechanic

mini blurb — ✍🏻
To rekindle the flame of her marriage, Luna decide to start a game with her husband, Elias.
During the art class she hosts they pretend to be stranger to one another.

//

That was cute! and hot AF, bless Elias and his magic hands 🫦
Can't wait to read all the other novellas in the series, I missed Lee Jacquot ability to write the perfect plot in such a short and quick read 🙏

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exactly what I want from a novellette 👏 Quick peak/scene into someone's life. And I loved how this series is using role-play kink to nurture existing, loving relationships.

[Kate V · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars!

A cute little novella where a couple pretends to be strangers and spice things up. I enjoyed it!! Looking forward to the rest in this series.

ARC provided for an honest review.

[Chey · Rating 4 out of 5]

For all the readers who wants a good spicy book and a quick story. Don't dive in this series if you want a huge plot, this is a short story with spicy moments between the couple- and, as usual, a good writing too.

[Stephanie ☾ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lee Jacquot graced us with another spicy novella series, or as I like to call them, palette cleansers. 🔥🎨

Luna and her group of friends, after discussing their love lives, decide to start a new thing in their lives, where they rekindle their relationships with their significant others. For Luna, she wishes to once again go through the stranger danger part of dating, and they set up a night, where he will go to her art class as her student, and they will see what happens. Immediately, after Elias arrives in the class, the fiery flirting starts. 👀

The spice is spiciiing in this one. Elias is a god at flirting, edging and paint play. And he is good with his hands as a mechanic. 🤭

It was a great novella, perfect to read in between longer novels. I wish it were a bit longer, as this was essentially 60 pages, and there wasn't much of anything but smut. Which I expected, yet I enjoy novellas with at least a sprinkle of plot/conversations outside of the bedroom, in this case, the art studio. Though this had started my seek for more roleplaying books.

3.75 stars ✨
4 stars🔥

I don’t think it’s possible that the night can get any better until the tips of my fingers are brushed against by a rougher, more calloused hand.
Turning, I find beautiful molten eyes on me, and a smile clear under light stubble. I try not to imagine what that would feel like between my thighs. I bet it’d tickle more than scratch. “Can I help you?”
His head tilts to the side, his lips parting just enough for me to make out a row of pearly whites. “Maybe.”

Thank you, Lee Jacquot, for the ARC!

[Evan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well as expected I loved this book. Lee you did it again! It was perfect and amazing and I loved it. Thank you for letting me be a part of your Arc team.

Anyways back to the book like I said it was amazing and so different. It was a quick fun read it took me a day to finish. It was an interesting concept. And I felt like I wanted more but that’s what you get with the small books.

Luna: she was sweet and she knew what she wanted.
Elias: he was flirty, and he knew how to give his girl what she wanted.
The two of worked so well together. I can’t wait to read the other ones!

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ Five Stars. ✨

A perfect quick and spicy read.
Lee has done it again, even with just a glimpse of these characters I have fallen in love with them, I could read two hundred pages more and still be invested. If you’re looking for spicy, kinky and all the feel good ingredients that Lee packs into her work, then this book is for you.

:I have received this novelette as an ARC as part of Lee’s ARC team. My opinions and thoughts are completely my own:

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this novella! I can tell this series is going to br a good one just from book one alone. the premise of the series, getting the spark back into marriages is a fun one but I feel like its typically done when the marriage is on the rocks and these marriages aren't on the rocks, everyone is still very much in love they just want to try something different. Luna's idea for flirting with a stranger in art class was simple and done well. Elias, came in ready to flirt and have fun and thats exactly what he did. I couldn't ask for anything more or anything better

[Kris A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ugh what a perfect little book to get my out of a slump. Like I finished this in a day, picking it up every so often between tasks as a little reward to myself.

This concept feels so new and fresh too. Very excited to see the other couples in this series get their kindling!

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun time!!

The premise of this series is also really cool as well. Married couples rekindling the flames of their relationship by trying fun and kinky lil things 🙂‍↔️😏

This was a cute and spicy time🔥🌶️

[Kodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun and cute quick novella. Love the idea of rekindling their marriage with some fun role playing. Can't wait to read the rest of the series.

[Trinity · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beta Read
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75/5 🌶🌶🌶/5

TW - alcohol consumption, pregnancy and having children (discussed)

CW - biting, edging, hand necklace, role play

Tropes - romance

3.75⭐️ rounded to 4⭐️.
This is a very quick read, as intended, and is also a fun and spicy read 😈. I only wish there was no hint at all of the MCs knowing each other in the scene itself to really sell the fantasy of strangers meeting and having a night together. All in all, I can't wait to read what comes next in this new series 🤩

Scale:
⭐️ - would've DNF'ed / continued out of spite
⭐️⭐️ - shit, but whatever
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - meh, could've been better
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - lit 👅
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - loved it, inject this shit into my veins 🤪

🫑 - no smut
🌶 - no point
🌶🌶 - mediocre at best
🌶🌶🌶 - standard smut, hot
🌶🌶🌶🌶 - 🥵 okay, some CW
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 - fuck me 🥵🥵 CWs / filthy with a side of filth - see Poison / Room Twenty-Two: Hide and Seek/ The Naughty List / The Naughtier List

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, steamy, and full of spark!

The Teacher by Lee Jacquot is a spicy novella that packs a surprising emotional punch. Luna and Elias turn one night of pretend into a powerful reconnection, blending playful roleplay with real vulnerability. Their chemistry is electric, and the writing is both sexy and sincere.

It’s a quick read, but it doesn’t skimp on heat or heart. I only wish there was a bit more time to explore their backstory; because I wasn’t ready to leave them yet. Perfect for when you want something hot, heartfelt, and fast paced!

[London · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hot stuff

I love these little novellas this author comes out with. Straight heat and enough to put a smile on my face. Bring on the next one.

[Teddi Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 stars for a novelette
3.5/5 peppers
1/5 buzz buzz

This is my true "novelette". I have read her Holinights "novellas" but these "novelettes" I like to think of is the spicy nuggets that us as readers get when we ask our authors "please sir may I have some more".

When married couples just need an extra spark in their marriages, they create a "kindling night" that will reignite those sparks. For one night, the couples agree to act as "strangers" and get lost in each other. Luna returns to a part of her life that she let go once she became a stay at home mom until one night she teaches a paint class and a handsome, alluring "stranger" attends and waits to have his way with her.

These are the perfect amount of heat and yearning and deliciousness that we all crave. Lee does it again, giving the readers just what we want and still being like "can we have another one, please?" I can't wait to dive further into the ladies of Alpine Cove.

[Felecia Rodney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t expect this book to hit both my heart AND my hormones 😂 but The Teacher did exactly that. I went into it thinking I’d just get a fun, spicy read—and while the heat levels definitely did not disappoint (seriously, 🔥🔥), what really surprised me was how much heart was packed into Luna’s story.

It’s so rare to see a marriage portrayed this way—where the love is still there, but the excitement has just… dulled under the weight of real life. Luna’s decision to shake things up felt bold and honest, and watching her step into Kindling Night felt like watching someone reclaim a piece of themselves they didn’t even realize was missing. And that “mysterious stranger” angle? I was grinning the whole time, especially once the layers started peeling back.

It’s playful, sexy, and a little inspiring, especially if you’ve ever wondered what it takes to keep things exciting in a long-term relationship. I can't wait for the rest of the series to drop!

[INeedABookBreak · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved The Teacher! It is the perfect spicy novella to read as a palette cleanser or between books. It’s only about 60 pages, but somehow the author manages to cover so much. It was a great read.

The Teacher is the first book in the Ladies of Alpine Cove series, where each of the six novellas will focus on a different couple experiencing a “kindling night” where they spice up their marriage.

In this book, Luna is a mom who wants to reconnect with her husband. She teaches art classes and decides it would be fun for her husband to pretend to be a stranger, and then have some fun in the studio. This author always writes the best spice and this novella is hot! I especially loved the spicy painting.

I am so excited to see who will be the next couple to experience a kindling night!

[Samantha | Chapters + Tequila · Rating 5 out of 5]

yes, teach.

when the Queen of spicy novellas said the first in a new series was live - I rannnnn to KU and downloaded so quick.

And let me tell you - IT. DID. NOT. DISAPPOINT.

@authorleej knows what she is doing when it comes to novellas. There’s never a question when it comes to her storylines or her spice levels. She delivers on all fronts.

The Teacher is no exception.

When Luna and Elias agree to be strangers for a Kindling Night - sparks fly as they rediscover their obsession with each other. The lust. The love. The heat. One night, strangers from the start, with some guide art lessons and Luna and Elias get to be their pre-kids, pre-responsibilities selves, but with the years of knowledge of what the other likes and desires.

Cannot wait for the rest of the Alpine Cove ladies and their Kindling Night.

[Madi Pinchuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was for sure a five star smutty little novella, or novelette if you’re fancy! NOBODY does a short story like my girl Lee Jacquot! The concept of this entire series is so cute to me; A group of married friends decide to spice up their marriages by each having their own “Kindling Night” to rekindle their marriages. Another thing that I loved is that all of the couples are happy in this story, they just want to spice it up a little and get back to that honeymoon phase.

This was the first of the series with Luna, Elias, and their “painting class” kindling night. It was definitely spicy, but also really sweet to see this couple rediscover their spark and fall in love with each other all over again. I can’t wait to read more of this little series and hear the story of all of the other couples!

Thanks Lee Jacquot for the opportunity to read and review this story!

[Steph (Teacups & Tropes) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Lee for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When I first heard about this new series of novelettes that takes place with a group of friends looking to 'rekindle' the spark in their relationships, I was instantly intrigued. The friends, calling it "Kindling Night" all plan to do something out of the ordinary to help bring the early, can't-keep-my-hands-off-of-you phase of the relationship back into focus.

The Teacher follows Luna and a mysterious stranger. (Jk, he's her husband. There's no cheating involved but there is roleplaying, and it is GREAT!) And for people who might be judging the novelette by the title, don't. It's definitely not student-teacher, not in the sense that you might be thinking. Luna teaches art classes for adults and when she sees a hot stranger in her adult class, she takes a chance on him.

This is textbook LJ. Hot, spicy, but somehow, she managed to pack feels into 60 pages. I can't wait to get the rest of the series.

[Nikki H. Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always enjoy Lee Jacquot’s novellas—and this one kicked off a brand new series: The Ladies of Alpine Cove.

I loved jumping into this quick story completely blind. These ladies have significant others who love them, but most of them have surpassed the honeymoon period and are looking to make…certain things…exciting again.

That’s where the concept of “Kindling Night” comes into play. A night to rekindle what is, what was, and what could be.

And in Luna and Elias’ case, that means pretending to be strangers and letting their natural chemistry guide their way for a night. No responsibilities. No guidelines. Nothing to stand in their way.

If you’re looking for a short and hot read, this one is definitely for you!

[Shawntel (read_with_shawntel) · Rating 4 out of 5]

“…he dips the brush and begins, slowly and carefully, painting a beautifully smooth curved line along my rib cage.”

Welcome to a new era of Lee Jacquot’s novellas! These are abridged novellas - novelletes if you will. A perfect little palate cleanser between books or when you just need a little something.

I love the concept of this series. Couples wanting to spice up their relationship by having one night where they pretend they are strangers.
Luna and Elias give you all sorts of teacher x student deliciousness that you want. I can’t wait to see where this series goes with each couple!

Thank you Lee for an advance reader copy.

[Leigh Suznovich · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the PERFECT little novella that can be read in an hour if you need a break from long, heavier reads. The concept is so fun for this entire series! Four couples decide to each do a "kindling night", where they bring the fire back to their marriages with some sexy role playing for one night, acting like they don't know each other.

This first one follows Luna and Elias. She teaches an adult art class, and he attends as the flirty student who seduces her after class. The spice SPICES, and it's also sweet how into each other they are as they bring a little fun back to their relationship. Can't wait for the next one!

[Jaynelle Dessirae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for an eARC to read and review.

This novelette was so much fun and I would 100% read a novel about this couple and their adventurous friends.

The art in the front of the book was so cute and a unique idea.

The story follows a couple who is wanting to try something new in the bedroom. She is an art teacher and is hosting a "Painting with a Twist" style class, and her husband, the student, is pretending to not know her while he is in the class.

This book was short, sweet, and spicy. The scene with the paint was 10 out of 10.

Excited for the rest of the series.

[Sukriti · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Teacher by Lee Jacquot is a steamy, emotional, and character-driven romance that launches The Ladies of Alpine Cove series with intensity and heart. The story follows a confident, determined heroine and the complicated man who challenges her in all the right ways. Their chemistry is electric, but the emotional layers—trust, vulnerability, and healing—make the book truly engaging. The writing is smooth and addictive, balancing heat with heartfelt moments and sharp, witty dialogue. The small-town setting adds charm and depth to the story. Perfect for readers who love bold heroines, spicy tension, and romances filled with heart and growth.