Over a year in Surf City and James has found his place. Working as a probationary firefighter is everything James hoped it would be. Working part time at the local coffee shop introduced him to his new best friends. Everything is nearly perfect except for the grumpy Professor who James and his twin rent an apartment from. James doesn’t know why the Professor hates him so much, but he is way too busy to worry about it.
With his twin out of town before the next college starts James has the apartment all to himself. Finding a play cape that his older brother Michael left behind from Christmas James finds freedom to make believe he is a real live superhero. He is confident it will remain his little secret until a meltdown on New Years Eve brings the Professor too close for comfort.
Jacob Lambert likes the quiet and controlled life that he’s made for himself in Surf City and is excited for the new college session coming after the New Year. He might not live as exciting life as his twin Jesse in Las Vegas, but Jacob is happy to visit his brother and Jesse’s boyfriend Lake when he gets the chance. Even if he has to push down the jealousy of seeing his brother so happy with the perfect partner.
Returning home after Christmas Jacob has plans to get ready for the semester and continue to watch over the two young men that rent a small garage apartment from him. Seeing James break down after a bad shift during New Years Eve allows Jacob to finally get closer to James. There is something in James’s eyes that tell Jacob that he might not be so resistant to a firm Daddy in his life. In fact, it might just be exactly what James needs.
This book contains MM sexual content (men having sex with each other), Age Play, Daddy/little relationship, and age gap relations. This book is an exploration of a relationship between two (male) consensual adults that are looking for love and acceptance. All characters are over the age of consent. No cheating or cliffhangers.
I wanted to start by saying that I do read a lot of indie author books, so this is not an "indie author hate review". I am strictly honest when I write my reviews, and I wanted to be very honest going into the review of this book.
My first issue with this book started on the very first page of the book. On the very first page of the book the author introduces five characters. Yes, five full characters with no background to judge how these characters are related to each other. It was very confusing from the start. I reread the first page many times to try and understand, but had to move on. But, the author does this multiple times through the entire book. Introducing characters with no background at all (I still do not know who Bryon is and why he is even in the book or connected to Jacob).
The second issue that I have with this book is the author is constantly introducing ideas into the book, but is never following up on them. For instances: Personally, I think the author is doing this as fill in to make the book slightly longer. But ultimately, it just leads to confusion of why it was mentioned or why the new characters were even introduced if we aren't going to go over the ideas.
The third issue that I had with this book was that it could have been edited fairly better. The writing to this book is often times very clunky and hard to read. I had to constantly reread full pages because the author would switch between first-person point of view and third-person point of view in different paragraphs or sentences. They also had several character with "J" names that it was often hard to keep track of who was who. It lead to the reader (me) often times feeling confused. I think this is a super easy fix though, and would be interested to see if any other of Athena's books are written this way.
Now for the actual storyline of the book. I think overall the main plot of the story was okay. I loved learning about James's development throughout the book. Mostly I loved to reading about the character development that Jacob had through this book. Going in to the book, I though I was going to hate Jacob, but then I found myself often times relating to the way he felt in the book. This is the first book I have read about age regression, and I felt like the author did do a great job handling the process of age regression.
Overall, I am giving this a 2/5 rating strictly due to the negatives out weighing the positives for this book. I think that if it was edited slightly better that it could be a very good book that I would recommend to others.
I’m never disappointed in Athena’s work, every single book I have read which is all of them…multiple times…has captured me in a warm blanket of comfort that makes me want to come back over and over again. This is another one of those, I really loved seeing how two people who each have their own trauma came together and how their relationship blossomed. James truly became a butterfly to me as Jacob guided him in their exploration. I also really liked seeing James put so much thought into his feelings and how he needed to communicate his wants to Jacob I.e. asking his close friends for advice, taking that first step to communicate to Jacob who feared he’d overstepped! We love a sub who takes initiative - and James was such a natural boy! Jacob getting emotional as he watched him play was so sweet. And Jackson being the prankster he is had me giggling, I’m sure he got very creative in his hiding places! I can’t wait to see what this new series has in store! P.s I really hope Dawson gets a book!
Overall, another great book from Athena! Would definitely recommend to anyone who wants a story with a rough start that soon blossoms into something beautiful!
I really enjoy Athena's books and love lessons did not disappoint. You do not need to have read the previous books as this is a new series but it may help with some of the characters, which I loved reading about some more.
James and Jacob start at loggerheads but that really is to do with Jacobs stiffness and inability to communicate he cares, which comes across as Mr Grumpy Bossy pants instead! (you get to understand why learning about his childhood). Obviously James takes offence at every word!
Eventually we get a breakthrough. James is inquisitive being new to age play and Jacob teaches James all he wants/needs to know. James doesn't know how to feel when he enjoys playing super hero pretend as he has always been the strong provider for his twin. He learns to let go and understand his littler side and Jacob learns to let go of his fears that are holding him back and love his bratty boy.
I can't wait for the next book where I think we will see James and Jacob grow into their relationship whilst having a new couple to read about as this book has set the series up nicely. I'm looking forward to James' twin brother Scott to get his story.
James and Jacob’s book is so good. James and Jacob may have gotten a rough start, but they figure it out. I love the way James discovers more about himself and Jacob is there to help and hold his hand, but doesn't force anything. I love how Jacob encouraged James to be himself, even when that meant being a brat lol. This is a great book and I definitely recommend it!
I know you weren’t feeling to well at the end of last year and it showed just a little bit in tiny mistakes in the book. That being said however it was an excellent story as usual I like the universes you create. Pulling in Byron and the author whose name is escaping me at the moment.
It is so nice to find another batch of littles and watch them find their way. This group is adorable and seems fun!! I love the varying connections across the different groups. The Vegas boys and Rocky Lake crew, not to mention Nicky and Liam! Glad to visit with the twins again!!!
Really enjoyed this! James finally exploring things and Jacob is the perfect place for that. Also it took me way to long to piece together what book Michael was from (Jackson) and I'm excited for Luca's book🤍
Communication between James and his landlord, Jacob has always been strained. When James’s twin goes away for the holidays he is forced to interact with Jacob. Their interactions change when Jacob shows care and concern and over time their relationship develops into something special and James finds himself getting to explore and be the boy he was always meant to be.
A story that is slow in terms of main characters relationship building but good with supporting characters interactions and introductions. There are some cute Daddy /boy scenes and an ending that leaves you wanting more.
Absolutely Loved Love Lessons by Athena Stellar another amazing edition to the Surf City Littles Series. Jacob & James are simply wonderful together the way their relationship blossoms into daddy and his cute boy is so very beautiful recommend so much.
Overall, this was a cute story. The writing felt a bit clunky in places too many names to try and figure out and remember. I definitely will be reading more in this series as it’s a cute quick read.
Loved Jacob and James story! I've been waiting for this spinoff/series and I hope there are many more to come. This book was more of a slow burn than the other little books. Got more insight into jesse and jacobs past. Cant wait for the next one already!!