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Goose Run #2
John Wilder Gets Schooled: Goose Run, Book 2
John Wilder is a full-time roofer, a part-time stripper, and the world's greatest dad.
Okay, so that last one is a work in progress, but Wilder is doing his best—it's just that between working two jobs and parenting, he's struggling, and Gracie's grandparents are just waiting for him to fail. Getting off on the wrong foot with Gracie's disapproving kindergarten teacher is the last thing he needs. But Wilder is determined to ace this parenting thing and wipe the judgmental look off Avery Smith's cute, kissable face—wait, what?
Avery Smith is in his first year of teaching, and he's already got a problem parent. Exhibit A, John Wilder. He turns up late, forgets to bring his daughter snacks, and is less reliable than every one of Avery's five-year-old students. But Avery soon discovers that there's more to Wilder's situation than meets the eye, and he finds himself drawn to the attractive single dad. Except Avery has one hard and fast rule—no crushing on the straight dads, no matter how tempting. And Wilder is straight, right?
Turns out Wilder is about to learn a lot of things about himself, and Avery is the perfect teacher.
Welcome to Goose Run, a small town full of quirky characters, big personalities, and unexpected romances. Just don't ask about the goose.
Okay, so that last one is a work in progress, but Wilder is doing his best—it's just that between working two jobs and parenting, he's struggling, and Gracie's grandparents are just waiting for him to fail. Getting off on the wrong foot with Gracie's disapproving kindergarten teacher is the last thing he needs. But Wilder is determined to ace this parenting thing and wipe the judgmental look off Avery Smith's cute, kissable face—wait, what?
Avery Smith is in his first year of teaching, and he's already got a problem parent. Exhibit A, John Wilder. He turns up late, forgets to bring his daughter snacks, and is less reliable than every one of Avery's five-year-old students. But Avery soon discovers that there's more to Wilder's situation than meets the eye, and he finds himself drawn to the attractive single dad. Except Avery has one hard and fast rule—no crushing on the straight dads, no matter how tempting. And Wilder is straight, right?
Turns out Wilder is about to learn a lot of things about himself, and Avery is the perfect teacher.
Welcome to Goose Run, a small town full of quirky characters, big personalities, and unexpected romances. Just don't ask about the goose.
Audible Audio
First published December 2, 2025
About the author
Lisa Henry
130 books2,334 followersI like to tell stories. Mostly with hot guys and happily ever afters. They gotta work for it though. No free lunches on my watch.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 178 reviews
July 26, 2026
This book is incredibly cute.
Kindergarten teacher Avery’s first day is exciting enough, even without the handsome father of five-year-old Gracie dropping her off far too late and without even sending a lunchbox with her.
Annoyed by the man’s apparent carelessness, Avery keeps witnessing Wilder—Mr. Hot Dad—picking Gracie up much too late in the afternoons and grows increasingly frustrated with him.
When his fellow teachers invite Avery out for an evening at a bar, he is a little surprised to discover that it is actually a strip club. Slightly tipsy from his ridiculously expensive cocktail, he gets drawn into a lap dance with a muscular, oiled-up cowboy who rides him like a pony to the beat of the music.
Then the guy tips back his cowboy hat.
Avery and the stripper both freeze.
It is Gracie’s dad.
As Avery gets to know Wilder better, however, he realizes that Wilder is not a careless father at all, but a loving and devoted dad who is simply completely overwhelmed—and that is what gradually wins Avery’s heart.
You can probably imagine how deliciously the story unfolds from there. It is unbelievably sweet.
My only issue is this: why would Wilder—Mr. Hot Stripper—who says that he only ever hooks up with women at clubs because they throw themselves at him, be such a blushing virgin when it comes to sex? What exactly did he do with all those women if Avery’s blowjob lesson feels like a religious revelation to him?
Their sex-ed training sessions were adorable, though. I especially loved the little gold stars Avery gave him after every successfully completed “exam.”
This is a genuinely sweet and wholesome story without any major drama. Thankfully, the obstacles the two men face are dealt with quickly, so there is no painfully drawn-out misunderstanding threatening their romance for half the book. I absolutely loved that for them.
4.5 stars!
Kindergarten teacher Avery’s first day is exciting enough, even without the handsome father of five-year-old Gracie dropping her off far too late and without even sending a lunchbox with her.
Annoyed by the man’s apparent carelessness, Avery keeps witnessing Wilder—Mr. Hot Dad—picking Gracie up much too late in the afternoons and grows increasingly frustrated with him.
When his fellow teachers invite Avery out for an evening at a bar, he is a little surprised to discover that it is actually a strip club. Slightly tipsy from his ridiculously expensive cocktail, he gets drawn into a lap dance with a muscular, oiled-up cowboy who rides him like a pony to the beat of the music.
Then the guy tips back his cowboy hat.
Avery and the stripper both freeze.
It is Gracie’s dad.
As Avery gets to know Wilder better, however, he realizes that Wilder is not a careless father at all, but a loving and devoted dad who is simply completely overwhelmed—and that is what gradually wins Avery’s heart.
You can probably imagine how deliciously the story unfolds from there. It is unbelievably sweet.
My only issue is this: why would Wilder—Mr. Hot Stripper—who says that he only ever hooks up with women at clubs because they throw themselves at him, be such a blushing virgin when it comes to sex? What exactly did he do with all those women if Avery’s blowjob lesson feels like a religious revelation to him?
Their sex-ed training sessions were adorable, though. I especially loved the little gold stars Avery gave him after every successfully completed “exam.”
This is a genuinely sweet and wholesome story without any major drama. Thankfully, the obstacles the two men face are dealt with quickly, so there is no painfully drawn-out misunderstanding threatening their romance for half the book. I absolutely loved that for them.
4.5 stars!
November 11, 2025
It was great coming back to tiny quirky Goose Run!
Baby boy Wilder was a very nice character in the previous book, so when this was announced, I just knew I had to read his story.
Wilder is suddenly thrown into single parenthood after his ex gets a scholarship at university, and he has to care for Gracie alone. As we saw in the previous book, he is really doing the best he can to provide for her, but things are hard, so it takes a bit of adjustment.
After a maybe not-so-great first impression with Gracie’s teacher, he tries to up his game. Avery, aka Mr Smith, is not impressed by Wilder’s attempts to be a punctual parent, to say the least.
After a bit of prejudice and judging, Avery realizes there’s more to Wilder than he originally thought, and they embark on a nice friendship that develops into a cute relationship.
I would have liked maybe closure with the grandparents' issue, and like their living situation, I guess. But so far, even though the books in the series have ended in an HFN, I feel content and can’t wait to read Chase and Cash’s books.
Thanks to the authors for this arc! - Happy release day!
Baby boy Wilder was a very nice character in the previous book, so when this was announced, I just knew I had to read his story.
Wilder is suddenly thrown into single parenthood after his ex gets a scholarship at university, and he has to care for Gracie alone. As we saw in the previous book, he is really doing the best he can to provide for her, but things are hard, so it takes a bit of adjustment.
After a maybe not-so-great first impression with Gracie’s teacher, he tries to up his game. Avery, aka Mr Smith, is not impressed by Wilder’s attempts to be a punctual parent, to say the least.
After a bit of prejudice and judging, Avery realizes there’s more to Wilder than he originally thought, and they embark on a nice friendship that develops into a cute relationship.
I would have liked maybe closure with the grandparents' issue, and like their living situation, I guess. But so far, even though the books in the series have ended in an HFN, I feel content and can’t wait to read Chase and Cash’s books.
Thanks to the authors for this arc! - Happy release day!
November 5, 2025
Really loved the return to Goose Run!
Wilder was super easy to relate to if you're a parent. I wanted to give him a hug and tell him he was doing great! I also loved that the co-parenting was so positive.
Avery was the cutest awkward guy ever! I loved his enthusiasm for teaching and crafting, and the way he took to being in Gracie's life was so great. He has me craving spaghetti so badly too!!
I love the chosen family with Wilder, Danny, Chase and Cash but adding Miller and now Avery makes it feel like the feral chaos gremlins finally have some adult supervision 😂 I'm dying to see if the chore chart happens...
Really looking forward to Chase's story because he's so harsh and blunt and there's definitely a good reason for it, but I feel strongly that Cash is going to be my favourite of these four friends.
*****
I received an ARC of this book from Lisa Henry, and this is my honest review
Wilder was super easy to relate to if you're a parent. I wanted to give him a hug and tell him he was doing great! I also loved that the co-parenting was so positive.
Avery was the cutest awkward guy ever! I loved his enthusiasm for teaching and crafting, and the way he took to being in Gracie's life was so great. He has me craving spaghetti so badly too!!
I love the chosen family with Wilder, Danny, Chase and Cash but adding Miller and now Avery makes it feel like the feral chaos gremlins finally have some adult supervision 😂 I'm dying to see if the chore chart happens...
Really looking forward to Chase's story because he's so harsh and blunt and there's definitely a good reason for it, but I feel strongly that Cash is going to be my favourite of these four friends.
*****
I received an ARC of this book from Lisa Henry, and this is my honest review
April 12, 2026
Overwhelmed single dad (living in a small town romance series, variety quirky) has a bi-awakening with his daughter's kindergarten teacher. And I was oh so judgmental about their life choices and romance, maybe because I thought they were shoved into the plot all awkwardly by the authors, with not enough page count for things to be shown, felt, rather than told..
Lisa Henry has written some fantastic books that I have reread and shoved at many others, so it's not a lack of skill or insight. But this series (and some of the other recent books) are like a low-fat, small portion, artificial sweetened version. Maybe that is Ok if you did not have different expectations but I had - even if I had not finished book 1 of this series.
In this case the single dad is a 22 year old with a main job as a roofer, with a secondary side gig as a stripper and living with 3 other guys in a falling down house with his 5 year old daughter. The daughter gets the bedroom, he sleeps on the couch, the full time dad thing is relatively new because the former girlfriend has gone to college. There are overbearing maternal grandparents who were housing the girlfriend and daughter till then, I think, but it's not really clear about arrangements before. The paternal grandparents totally cut them off. It is probably a sign of age I was pretty sympathetic to the maternal grandparents (whose big sin is wanting to take the child to church, which admittedly I would not want to do).
The meet cute is about Wilder being "that parent", and always late, and forgetting snacks. OK, he has 2 jobs but I am going to be judgmental. It's not clear whatever he has been doing since he became a parent and his parents cut him off, his roofer job seems to be almost like a favor from an uncle, and not sure how he fell into stripping (which does not seem to be that well paid really) in a small town. He is an able bodied, no mental issues or neurodivergence, 22 year old in a small town and he just seems to not be able to pick up other more stable and likely profitable side gigs (plumbing has to pay way better than stripping for one dollar tips! Electrician? Just working other construction jobs in general)...He is late to pickup his kid even when he is not working as a roofer (because the job got cancelled, and he is not looking for other daytime jobs). A stable career is handed to him all set up for the HEA, which yeah, but hello I was thinking about it from early pages and it's not even his initiative to think and plan. By the ending, guess what, he forgets snacks again but his now boyfriend oh so helpfully steps in to help fix his parenting deficiencies.. Manchild material, if you read between the lines.
But the reader is not meant to read between the lines, we are just told things, how characters feels and all is smoothed out to work out nice, coincidences and accidents and all. We are told about his evil parents but not any details to add complexity, we are told about his stripper job but mostly as an excuse to describe stripping and justify the thirsting over his body (but not much about the roofing job, duh!) but no details of how he discovered, why there are no alternatives, why a 22 year old in the 2020s would not consider for example onlyfans as being more profitable or be able to manage his own bookings, or much really.
As another example of the reader being told not shown, for example this passage, when one of the MCs meets the others, and one in particularly that will be the MC of another book "Chase was abrasive as shit, but it didn’t take me long to warm to him despite it—he was an asshole but a funny one, and he was incredibly protective not just of Cash but the other guys too.". Ok, abrasive as shit, but you warm up fast, why? (Because it is more convenient and faster if there is no attrition between MCs of books in the same series), but it's just a bit lame, to not see the abrasiveness nor the warming up happening and that the warming up is just so instantaneous.
That MC, the kindergarten teacher, by the way was so bland I forgot his name in the few hours since I finished the book. He seems all ready to jump in and adopt the manchild and coparent the literal child also.
But it is all a lot smoother than I make it seem. I just can't help myself reading between the lines but there is just a lot of smooth writing over some wonky character development and there are weird bumps over the smooth if one looks carefully, but it's probably easy (to everybody else, but me) to avoid looking too closely.
Lisa Henry has written some fantastic books that I have reread and shoved at many others, so it's not a lack of skill or insight. But this series (and some of the other recent books) are like a low-fat, small portion, artificial sweetened version. Maybe that is Ok if you did not have different expectations but I had - even if I had not finished book 1 of this series.
In this case the single dad is a 22 year old with a main job as a roofer, with a secondary side gig as a stripper and living with 3 other guys in a falling down house with his 5 year old daughter. The daughter gets the bedroom, he sleeps on the couch, the full time dad thing is relatively new because the former girlfriend has gone to college. There are overbearing maternal grandparents who were housing the girlfriend and daughter till then, I think, but it's not really clear about arrangements before. The paternal grandparents totally cut them off. It is probably a sign of age I was pretty sympathetic to the maternal grandparents (whose big sin is wanting to take the child to church, which admittedly I would not want to do).
The meet cute is about Wilder being "that parent", and always late, and forgetting snacks. OK, he has 2 jobs but I am going to be judgmental. It's not clear whatever he has been doing since he became a parent and his parents cut him off, his roofer job seems to be almost like a favor from an uncle, and not sure how he fell into stripping (which does not seem to be that well paid really) in a small town. He is an able bodied, no mental issues or neurodivergence, 22 year old in a small town and he just seems to not be able to pick up other more stable and likely profitable side gigs (plumbing has to pay way better than stripping for one dollar tips! Electrician? Just working other construction jobs in general)...He is late to pickup his kid even when he is not working as a roofer (because the job got cancelled, and he is not looking for other daytime jobs). A stable career is handed to him all set up for the HEA, which yeah, but hello I was thinking about it from early pages and it's not even his initiative to think and plan. By the ending, guess what, he forgets snacks again but his now boyfriend oh so helpfully steps in to help fix his parenting deficiencies.. Manchild material, if you read between the lines.
But the reader is not meant to read between the lines, we are just told things, how characters feels and all is smoothed out to work out nice, coincidences and accidents and all. We are told about his evil parents but not any details to add complexity, we are told about his stripper job but mostly as an excuse to describe stripping and justify the thirsting over his body (but not much about the roofing job, duh!) but no details of how he discovered, why there are no alternatives, why a 22 year old in the 2020s would not consider for example onlyfans as being more profitable or be able to manage his own bookings, or much really.
As another example of the reader being told not shown, for example this passage, when one of the MCs meets the others, and one in particularly that will be the MC of another book "Chase was abrasive as shit, but it didn’t take me long to warm to him despite it—he was an asshole but a funny one, and he was incredibly protective not just of Cash but the other guys too.". Ok, abrasive as shit, but you warm up fast, why? (Because it is more convenient and faster if there is no attrition between MCs of books in the same series), but it's just a bit lame, to not see the abrasiveness nor the warming up happening and that the warming up is just so instantaneous.
That MC, the kindergarten teacher, by the way was so bland I forgot his name in the few hours since I finished the book. He seems all ready to jump in and adopt the manchild and coparent the literal child also.
But it is all a lot smoother than I make it seem. I just can't help myself reading between the lines but there is just a lot of smooth writing over some wonky character development and there are weird bumps over the smooth if one looks carefully, but it's probably easy (to everybody else, but me) to avoid looking too closely.
December 4, 2025
✰ 3 stars ✰
After my disappointing first time in Goose Run, I'm glad my second trip proved to be a more pleasant one of a romance between two opposites, who find contentment with each other. 💝 Despite the less than stellar first impression Wilder did have with Gracie's kindergarten teacher, Avery. But it's clear how devoted he is to Gracie, how he and the rest of the Goose run squad dote on her and pitch in, as he tries to pay the bills between his two jobs as a roofer and part-time stripper.
It's that soft and caring side of him that warms up Avery's heart. That underneath the blustering fumbles he makes that has this teacher raise an eyebrow is a gentle soul, who only ever puts his best foot forward in whatever he does. Who faces his problems head-on without complaint, because he's so very committed and determined to be the very best father for his 5 yo daughter.
Their romance is a sweet slow-burn as Wilder learns a bit about himself - feelings he'd repressed because of his religious parents and friendship with Danny. A rekindling of a flame that he may have unwittingly blown out - had a part of me known that I’d been trying to defend myself too? - simply to protect himself from an onslaught that with his presumed mistake with Cassidy that led to his unfortunate without forgiveness falling out. 😢
“Don’t be too quick to judge John Wilder, Avery. He might surprise you.”
I liked how Avery was patient with Wilder's vulnerable side; that for all his bravado on stage and not letting on how defeated he feels at himself at the responsibilities he's willingly taken on as a twenty-two-year old father, it was when John Wilder Gets Schooled in unexplored waters, Avery was a patient and gentle partner, who sweetened the deal with his own private tutoring. 🎓💞👨❤️💋👨
I appreciated how the authors showed Cupid's bow striking that they wanted more than just no-strings sex with you anytime you want, but the affection and soft moments of being physically sans the horniness. 🥰 And that was a nice mature way of embracing a steady relationship - boyfriends. It felt grounded and believable.
I'm not sure how I feel exactly about the conflict that struck a chord for a mere fraction between Wilder and Gracie's maternal grandparents, but I understand how that anger and grudge lie with Wilder's own repressed feelings about his sexuality, and how it correlates with his own conflicted relationship with his Pastor father. It makes sense, but it could have been a different one (to me). 😔
“I think the nicest things are people and how they make us happy.”
I'm also finicky when it comes to convenient endings that provide easy turnarounds for characters, so Avery having a house, Wilder's job taking a turn for the better, the inconclusive resolution with Cassidy's parents - those little aspects, argh, grate on me. I don't know why I deny romance characters happy endings in all departments, but maybe I'm just jaded. 🤷🏻♀️
The found family blossomed with good-natured bonding over potato salad and concern for Wilder. 🫂 It was heartwarming to see how they welcomed Avery into their wholesome group, each endearing to Avery in their own way. Despite my lukewarm reception of Danny and Miller's romance, their guidance was cute, and the mystery of Catch and Cash continues to pique my interest and heart. That boy, Cash needs to be squeezed in the biggest bear hug ever. 🥺
Gracie was adorable. Loved how she loved Avery to bits, that made Wilder even prouder of his sweetpea. Totally loved the forgetfulness on Wilder's part, the exasperation Avery would feel, but also the kindness in which he sees just how much Wilder is trying that it's enough to melt his heart and want him even more. 🫶🫶
“... I already got lucky. Because I’m here with you.”
After my disappointing first time in Goose Run, I'm glad my second trip proved to be a more pleasant one of a romance between two opposites, who find contentment with each other. 💝 Despite the less than stellar first impression Wilder did have with Gracie's kindergarten teacher, Avery. But it's clear how devoted he is to Gracie, how he and the rest of the Goose run squad dote on her and pitch in, as he tries to pay the bills between his two jobs as a roofer and part-time stripper.
It's that soft and caring side of him that warms up Avery's heart. That underneath the blustering fumbles he makes that has this teacher raise an eyebrow is a gentle soul, who only ever puts his best foot forward in whatever he does. Who faces his problems head-on without complaint, because he's so very committed and determined to be the very best father for his 5 yo daughter.
Their romance is a sweet slow-burn as Wilder learns a bit about himself - feelings he'd repressed because of his religious parents and friendship with Danny. A rekindling of a flame that he may have unwittingly blown out - had a part of me known that I’d been trying to defend myself too? - simply to protect himself from an onslaught that with his presumed mistake with Cassidy that led to his unfortunate without forgiveness falling out. 😢
“Don’t be too quick to judge John Wilder, Avery. He might surprise you.”
I liked how Avery was patient with Wilder's vulnerable side; that for all his bravado on stage and not letting on how defeated he feels at himself at the responsibilities he's willingly taken on as a twenty-two-year old father, it was when John Wilder Gets Schooled in unexplored waters, Avery was a patient and gentle partner, who sweetened the deal with his own private tutoring. 🎓💞👨❤️💋👨
I appreciated how the authors showed Cupid's bow striking that they wanted more than just no-strings sex with you anytime you want, but the affection and soft moments of being physically sans the horniness. 🥰 And that was a nice mature way of embracing a steady relationship - boyfriends. It felt grounded and believable.
I'm not sure how I feel exactly about the conflict that struck a chord for a mere fraction between Wilder and Gracie's maternal grandparents, but I understand how that anger and grudge lie with Wilder's own repressed feelings about his sexuality, and how it correlates with his own conflicted relationship with his Pastor father. It makes sense, but it could have been a different one (to me). 😔
“I think the nicest things are people and how they make us happy.”
I'm also finicky when it comes to convenient endings that provide easy turnarounds for characters, so Avery having a house, Wilder's job taking a turn for the better, the inconclusive resolution with Cassidy's parents - those little aspects, argh, grate on me. I don't know why I deny romance characters happy endings in all departments, but maybe I'm just jaded. 🤷🏻♀️
The found family blossomed with good-natured bonding over potato salad and concern for Wilder. 🫂 It was heartwarming to see how they welcomed Avery into their wholesome group, each endearing to Avery in their own way. Despite my lukewarm reception of Danny and Miller's romance, their guidance was cute, and the mystery of Catch and Cash continues to pique my interest and heart. That boy, Cash needs to be squeezed in the biggest bear hug ever. 🥺
Gracie was adorable. Loved how she loved Avery to bits, that made Wilder even prouder of his sweetpea. Totally loved the forgetfulness on Wilder's part, the exasperation Avery would feel, but also the kindness in which he sees just how much Wilder is trying that it's enough to melt his heart and want him even more. 🫶🫶
November 26, 2025
Oh, this is SO MUCH better than Danny Hall Gets a Lawyer!! I am not usually eager to read about "bi/gay virgin" trope because it usually ends up with a lot of exploration to sex scenes, and it isn't my thing. However, John Wilder Gets Schooled ended up VERY SWEET and touching!
My heart was full for John Wilder - he's 22 years old, he is trying this full parenting for the first time since the mother of his daughter is away for college scholarship, he's trying to make the end's meet by getting any jobs he can (including stripping)... OMG Wilder!!! I adored him.
I totally could understand why Avery did too. Sure, Avery didn't get the first good impression of Wilder, but after Avery knew Wilder more, it was understandable that Avery would fall for this young man.
The relationship took time to progress. The "approach to gay sex" was also happening in a nice timeline (Wilder didn't suddenly want to try EVERYTHING, and I thought it was funny that Avery gave him homework!). I loved the relationship with the "side-casts" meaning friends and family, most notable Wilder's friends of Danny, Chase, and Cash, of course. And Gracie, the daughter, was cool!
So yes, this one is winner for me! The only down-side is that there isn't a conclusion to the grandparents situation. They're still going to be a thorn to John's side in the future, I am sure.
My heart was full for John Wilder - he's 22 years old, he is trying this full parenting for the first time since the mother of his daughter is away for college scholarship, he's trying to make the end's meet by getting any jobs he can (including stripping)... OMG Wilder!!! I adored him.
I totally could understand why Avery did too. Sure, Avery didn't get the first good impression of Wilder, but after Avery knew Wilder more, it was understandable that Avery would fall for this young man.
The relationship took time to progress. The "approach to gay sex" was also happening in a nice timeline (Wilder didn't suddenly want to try EVERYTHING, and I thought it was funny that Avery gave him homework!). I loved the relationship with the "side-casts" meaning friends and family, most notable Wilder's friends of Danny, Chase, and Cash, of course. And Gracie, the daughter, was cool!
So yes, this one is winner for me! The only down-side is that there isn't a conclusion to the grandparents situation. They're still going to be a thorn to John's side in the future, I am sure.
March 3, 2026
3.75 stars
This was a very cute story! I actually liked the relationship in the first book more but I enjoyed Wilder so much in this one. He was such a sweet, hardworking and loving person. Avery was a great match for him but I felt like a spark was missing.
I liked that Gracie was portrayed as a typical child and not one who is the best behaved. I did think there would be more issues with her grandparents. I loved Wilder’s friendship with Gracie’s mom. I wish there was a meeting between her and Avery.
Overall this was good but just lacked a bit of something.
This was a very cute story! I actually liked the relationship in the first book more but I enjoyed Wilder so much in this one. He was such a sweet, hardworking and loving person. Avery was a great match for him but I felt like a spark was missing.
I liked that Gracie was portrayed as a typical child and not one who is the best behaved. I did think there would be more issues with her grandparents. I loved Wilder’s friendship with Gracie’s mom. I wish there was a meeting between her and Avery.
Overall this was good but just lacked a bit of something.
January 7, 2026
3.5 stars rounded up!
I really liked those two oblivious idiots.
Both have a big heart and the romance builds slowly. Can't wait to read the twins story which is up next.
And dear authors: can we have a story about the goose loving crazy mayor?? Pretty please?
I really liked those two oblivious idiots.
Both have a big heart and the romance builds slowly. Can't wait to read the twins story which is up next.
And dear authors: can we have a story about the goose loving crazy mayor?? Pretty please?
November 22, 2025
Oh man, you want to read an awesome rom com with alllll the feels, perfect found family and some clandestine exploration of the spicy variety… read this! Really I cannot stress this enough, read this!
This story pulled me, pure entertainment with the authors signature witty writing and then all the feels came pouring in and o was hooked on Mr Smith and Johnny. Avery and Wilder. Gosh did Wilder make the worst first impression and it was downhill from there with nary a sight of recovery. Then the “accidental” lap dance made things superrrrr not awkward. But obviously thing started to turn around the more they saw of each other and Avery has a bit of a growing up moment when he saw people come with all sorts of stories he may not be privy to but he recovered fast and made his tribe at work and at home - kind of adopted Wilder’s tribe TBH. There were Manya hilarious situations some of them even involved a feral goose. Then we got to the part where Avery is a good “teacher” for Wilder’s awakening, convenient really with them being neighbours and all, best kept secret you know. But will it stay secret and is it already more than exploration and first times, like cuddles and emotional support and falling in love.
Highly recommend reading if you love forced proximity, sexual exploration, single dad, secret relationships, touch of forbidden, found family, healing, small town, bit of a d/s vibe and a lot of good boys, smiling while you’re reading.
Big shout out to Gracie for being the star of the show.
This story pulled me, pure entertainment with the authors signature witty writing and then all the feels came pouring in and o was hooked on Mr Smith and Johnny. Avery and Wilder. Gosh did Wilder make the worst first impression and it was downhill from there with nary a sight of recovery. Then the “accidental” lap dance made things superrrrr not awkward. But obviously thing started to turn around the more they saw of each other and Avery has a bit of a growing up moment when he saw people come with all sorts of stories he may not be privy to but he recovered fast and made his tribe at work and at home - kind of adopted Wilder’s tribe TBH. There were Manya hilarious situations some of them even involved a feral goose. Then we got to the part where Avery is a good “teacher” for Wilder’s awakening, convenient really with them being neighbours and all, best kept secret you know. But will it stay secret and is it already more than exploration and first times, like cuddles and emotional support and falling in love.
Highly recommend reading if you love forced proximity, sexual exploration, single dad, secret relationships, touch of forbidden, found family, healing, small town, bit of a d/s vibe and a lot of good boys, smiling while you’re reading.
Big shout out to Gracie for being the star of the show.
February 22, 2026
It was good but there were WAY too many stripping scenes. Wilder grinding on other people sometimes in front of Avery. Avery's co workers would also watch Wilder strip, shoving dollars in his G string. Avery was not jealous but I wasn't a fan. 😳😬😬
Stripping was supposed to be a part time gig but it is his whole personality. 🤷🏽♀️🤷🏽♀️
Avery was judgmental as fuck until he accidentally got a lap dance on stage from Wilder. Wilders face was obscured. by a helmet until he lifted it. Both MCs were very shocked.
The bi awakening and Avery teaching Wilder was well written though.
The strip/stripper was used 48 times.
Stripping was supposed to be a part time gig but it is his whole personality. 🤷🏽♀️🤷🏽♀️
Avery was judgmental as fuck until he accidentally got a lap dance on stage from Wilder. Wilders face was obscured. by a helmet until he lifted it. Both MCs were very shocked.
The bi awakening and Avery teaching Wilder was well written though.
The strip/stripper was used 48 times.
March 6, 2026
A sweet, slow burn romance (with some added spice) that kept me more entertained than the firat book.
I like the introduction of more characters and the wider town of Goose Run, too.
A good, and easy read.
I like the introduction of more characters and the wider town of Goose Run, too.
A good, and easy read.
December 5, 2025
While I understand he is run ragged and having a really hard time transitioning to more of a full time father role … it just icked me out so bad always watching him be late for his daughter at school and forgetting different things when it came to her.
There were some really weird comments and quotes made throughout this book too that just made me uncomfy and honestly everything just didn’t work for me with this one
Their first kiss was a tough read and the casual yeah I have Percocet at home and then they have their first kiss on said Percocet … and it was RECIPROCATED? gimme a BREAK
So im done with this one at 40% and will skip Chases book I think but would REALLY like to come back for Cash’s story if he’s getting one so we’ll see but this one in particular is gonna be a no from me
There were some really weird comments and quotes made throughout this book too that just made me uncomfy and honestly everything just didn’t work for me with this one
Their first kiss was a tough read and the casual yeah I have Percocet at home and then they have their first kiss on said Percocet … and it was RECIPROCATED? gimme a BREAK
So im done with this one at 40% and will skip Chases book I think but would REALLY like to come back for Cash’s story if he’s getting one so we’ll see but this one in particular is gonna be a no from me
October 26, 2025
This writing duo never disappoints! I laughed so often, and some scenes had me swooning and fanning myself. I love the found family of Danny, Wilder, Cash, and Chase, and that the love interests just become part of it.
I also love that this is truly small-town romance with average people just trying to get by. There are no billionaires swooping in to save the day (okay, the first book had a lawyer, but Danny is no sugar baby lol), just characters doing their best and falling in love. Oh, and that one guy (“Temu Captain America”) with the goose. 🤣🤣🤣
Tropes: single dad, hurt/comfort, teaching someone the ropes of being with a guy, found family, small town, and probably several others I’m not thinking of (is “whoops, I’m giving a lap dance to my daughter’s teacher” a trope?)
I also love that this is truly small-town romance with average people just trying to get by. There are no billionaires swooping in to save the day (okay, the first book had a lawyer, but Danny is no sugar baby lol), just characters doing their best and falling in love. Oh, and that one guy (“Temu Captain America”) with the goose. 🤣🤣🤣
Tropes: single dad, hurt/comfort, teaching someone the ropes of being with a guy, found family, small town, and probably several others I’m not thinking of (is “whoops, I’m giving a lap dance to my daughter’s teacher” a trope?)
July 7, 2026
I'm not sure why but I much prefer this MC pairing (Wilder and Avery) to the first book. And I'm really enjoying the collection of secondary repeating characters of Goose Run township. 4.5 stars
October 10, 2026
This was such a pleasure to read. I love a good sexual discovery story and throw in some friction and angst but two well-rounded likable MCs and the recipe needed no more. But it also had a precocious 5 year old who wasn't annoying, a few secondary characters with their own issues but a lot of love for the kid, and a couple we met in book one who are floating along on their own HFN, and the recipe was further refined to make a 5 star story.
John Wilder was one of those characters I want to reach out to pat on the back. Poor guy. Doing his best to raise his daughter and is late for first day of kindergarten And then realizes he forgot snacks. And his daughter's teacher is first -year teacher Avery, another super character that I wanted to adopt immediately. Avery had his stink-eye ready for John on the first day. Not only because they were tardy but then John was late to pick her up and Avery wanted to get going. He just bought a new house and wants to get over there to get things ready for moving. Of course, it turns out that he bought the house next to Wilder.
What follows is a lovely slow burn romance that rolls out via Avery being John's "teacher" as John learns about his bisexuality and what M/M sex is like, from kissing to much more. Along the way, it becomes more than sex lessons and by the end, the wrap-up hits the spot. Of note: But even without that potential nastiness, I loved the story, and then cranky roommate, Chase, had his own setup for the next book, which I plan to grab and devour right away. All in all, this is turning out to be a favorite series.
John Wilder was one of those characters I want to reach out to pat on the back. Poor guy. Doing his best to raise his daughter and is late for first day of kindergarten And then realizes he forgot snacks. And his daughter's teacher is first -year teacher Avery, another super character that I wanted to adopt immediately. Avery had his stink-eye ready for John on the first day. Not only because they were tardy but then John was late to pick her up and Avery wanted to get going. He just bought a new house and wants to get over there to get things ready for moving. Of course, it turns out that he bought the house next to Wilder.
What follows is a lovely slow burn romance that rolls out via Avery being John's "teacher" as John learns about his bisexuality and what M/M sex is like, from kissing to much more. Along the way, it becomes more than sex lessons and by the end, the wrap-up hits the spot. Of note: But even without that potential nastiness, I loved the story, and then cranky roommate, Chase, had his own setup for the next book, which I plan to grab and devour right away. All in all, this is turning out to be a favorite series.
November 6, 2025
The Goose Run found family are back again and this time Wilder is the centre of attention. Goose Run is the type of place where everyone is doing their best to just keep their head above water. Wilder is no exception working two jobs to help make life better for his found family and his delightful 5 year old daughter Gracie. With all that going in he sometimes forgets to look after himself. Circumstances lead him being in a no strings attached “situationship” with Gracie’s kindergarten teacher Avery who is so adorably awkward and cute. With Avery, Wilder can safely explore the side of himself that had been deeply hidden.
This delightfully enjoyable read gave me some laughs - looking at you Temu Captain America and Crafty McPaperfold - as well as some feels as the true inner layers to Wilder are slowly revealed. There’s a minor miscommunication moment that’s solved rather quickly, steamy mixed with sweet and a heartwarming HEA for these two wonderful men and Gracie. If you enjoy a single dad, found family small town romance then I highly recommend this book. There’s also a sneak peak at who gets their story told next so I’m very much looking forward to more in this series.
This delightfully enjoyable read gave me some laughs - looking at you Temu Captain America and Crafty McPaperfold - as well as some feels as the true inner layers to Wilder are slowly revealed. There’s a minor miscommunication moment that’s solved rather quickly, steamy mixed with sweet and a heartwarming HEA for these two wonderful men and Gracie. If you enjoy a single dad, found family small town romance then I highly recommend this book. There’s also a sneak peak at who gets their story told next so I’m very much looking forward to more in this series.
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December 2, 2025This series continues to be utterly charming. Low stakes but not boring, small town but grungy instead of cutesy, and really genuine characters and romances.
June 28, 2026
In my review of Danny Hall Gets a Lawyer, I described the book as the literary equivalent of cotton candy: sweet, pleasant, fleeting, and slightly insubstantial beneath its sugary exterior. John Wilder Gets Schooled, the second book in Lisa Henry and Sarah Honey's Goose Run series, feels less like cotton candy and more like a layer cake. It is still sweet, still light, and still very much operating in a fluffy romcom register, but there is noticeably more structure to it. Whether I intend to belabour every review in this series with confectionery metaphors remains to be seen. I'll take it book by book.
Where the first book felt enjoyable but somewhat lacking in depth, this sequel builds on almost every element I had wanted more from: stronger characterisation, deeper emotional motivation, a more developed sense of place, and a romance that felt rooted in something beyond sexual attraction. I wasn't entirely surprised by this. Having met John Wilder in the previous book, there were already hints of a more interesting character waiting beneath the surface. Wilder is twenty-two, a single father to five-year-old Gracie, and has recently gained full custody after Gracie's mother moved away from Goose Run to attend university. He is attentive, loving, and absolutely devoted to his daughter, but also stretched painfully thin, balancing parenthood with two jobs: roofing by day, stripping by night. He is also carrying the weight of a community that once saw him as a golden boy, then swiftly recast him as a disappointment after he became a teenage father and did not marry Gracie's mother.
That tension gives Wilder a level of emotional complexity I felt was missing from Danny in the previous book. Despite being the eponymous character in Danny Hall Gets a Lawyer, Danny never quite felt like the primary emotional focus of his own novel. He was charming, sure, but he functioned largely as the catalyst for Miller's growth. Wilder, by contrast, is unmistakably the heart of this book. His story is not just about falling for Avery, his daughter's kindergarten teacher, but about reckoning with the assumptions others have made about him and the damage caused by the religious shame and parental rejection he has spent years trying to survive.
Avery is also far more fully realised than I expected. As a first-year teacher, he is anxious, overprepared, and desperate for everything to go smoothly. When Wilder turns up late to Gracie's first day of school, Avery immediately assumes the worst, regarding him as careless rather than overwhelmed. The novel then does something I always enjoy: it uses forced proximity to dismantle prejudice. As Avery and Wilder are drawn into a tighter orbit, first through Gracie, then through a spectacularly awkward encounter where Avery gets a lap dance at the local club and discovers the dancer is Wilder, then eventually as neighbours, Avery is forced to reassess his assumptions. Wilder is not irresponsible. He is exhausted. He is not indifferent. He is trying desperately to keep every part of his life from falling apart.
That makes their relationship feel almost like the inverse of Danny and Miller's. In Danny Hall Gets a Lawyer, the romance felt primarily driven by physical attraction, with much of the couple's private on-page time dominated by sexual intimacy. Wilder and Avery's relationship certainly contains spice, and their arrangement initially presents itself as friends with benefits, but it never feels as though sex is the only thing holding them together. Both men initially agree to keeping things "casual": Wilder because the thought of being in a relationship with a man is still a very foreign concept to him, and Avery because dating the father of one of his students feels like exactly the sort of mistake he is determined not to make in his first year as a teacher. The problem, of course, is that both men realise almost immediately that casual is not enough. They want more, but neither is brave enough to ask for it.
What makes the intimate scenes work is their tentativeness. Unlike Danny and Miller, who both seemed to know what they wanted and how to get it from each other, Wilder is still trying to understand what desire even looks like when separated from shame. His bi-awakening is not framed as a sudden personality rewrite, but as a gradual, nervous process of permission. The way the "teach me" trope is utilised here is both fitting and funny, given Avery's profession, and the idea of him assigning Wilder "sexy homework" and awarding him gold star stickers is exactly the sort of mildly ridiculous romcom detail this series leans into. The spice is therefore less about heat alone and more about exploration, trust, and self-recognition.
The novel also handles its heavier themes with a surprisingly deft touch. Religious trauma, parental rejection, teen parenthood, and community judgement could easily push the story into something much bleaker than the tone of the series is establishing itself to be. Instead, the authors acknowledge those wounds without allowing them to overwhelm the book's lighter romcom energy. There is a cost to that restraint. Wilder's trauma is touched on more than it is fully unpacked, and it certainly is not neatly resolved. Even so, the emotional beats that do land are genuinely affecting. One line in particular, where Wilder struggles to understand how his own parents could disown him when his love for Gracie is so absolute, captures the quiet heartbreak at the centre of his character.
More than anything, John Wilder Gets Schooled feels like the book that proves Goose Run has more to offer than its first instalment suggested. It takes the assumptions characters make about Wilder, the assumptions Goose Run has made about him, and perhaps even the assumptions I had made about the series itself, and quietly complicates them. It is still light, still funny, and still sweet, but there is more emotional texture here. More character. More place. More reason to believe in the romance beyond the immediacy of attraction. If the series continues deepening in this direction, I am much more excited to keep reading than I was after book one.
Where the first book felt enjoyable but somewhat lacking in depth, this sequel builds on almost every element I had wanted more from: stronger characterisation, deeper emotional motivation, a more developed sense of place, and a romance that felt rooted in something beyond sexual attraction. I wasn't entirely surprised by this. Having met John Wilder in the previous book, there were already hints of a more interesting character waiting beneath the surface. Wilder is twenty-two, a single father to five-year-old Gracie, and has recently gained full custody after Gracie's mother moved away from Goose Run to attend university. He is attentive, loving, and absolutely devoted to his daughter, but also stretched painfully thin, balancing parenthood with two jobs: roofing by day, stripping by night. He is also carrying the weight of a community that once saw him as a golden boy, then swiftly recast him as a disappointment after he became a teenage father and did not marry Gracie's mother.
That tension gives Wilder a level of emotional complexity I felt was missing from Danny in the previous book. Despite being the eponymous character in Danny Hall Gets a Lawyer, Danny never quite felt like the primary emotional focus of his own novel. He was charming, sure, but he functioned largely as the catalyst for Miller's growth. Wilder, by contrast, is unmistakably the heart of this book. His story is not just about falling for Avery, his daughter's kindergarten teacher, but about reckoning with the assumptions others have made about him and the damage caused by the religious shame and parental rejection he has spent years trying to survive.
Avery is also far more fully realised than I expected. As a first-year teacher, he is anxious, overprepared, and desperate for everything to go smoothly. When Wilder turns up late to Gracie's first day of school, Avery immediately assumes the worst, regarding him as careless rather than overwhelmed. The novel then does something I always enjoy: it uses forced proximity to dismantle prejudice. As Avery and Wilder are drawn into a tighter orbit, first through Gracie, then through a spectacularly awkward encounter where Avery gets a lap dance at the local club and discovers the dancer is Wilder, then eventually as neighbours, Avery is forced to reassess his assumptions. Wilder is not irresponsible. He is exhausted. He is not indifferent. He is trying desperately to keep every part of his life from falling apart.
That makes their relationship feel almost like the inverse of Danny and Miller's. In Danny Hall Gets a Lawyer, the romance felt primarily driven by physical attraction, with much of the couple's private on-page time dominated by sexual intimacy. Wilder and Avery's relationship certainly contains spice, and their arrangement initially presents itself as friends with benefits, but it never feels as though sex is the only thing holding them together. Both men initially agree to keeping things "casual": Wilder because the thought of being in a relationship with a man is still a very foreign concept to him, and Avery because dating the father of one of his students feels like exactly the sort of mistake he is determined not to make in his first year as a teacher. The problem, of course, is that both men realise almost immediately that casual is not enough. They want more, but neither is brave enough to ask for it.
What makes the intimate scenes work is their tentativeness. Unlike Danny and Miller, who both seemed to know what they wanted and how to get it from each other, Wilder is still trying to understand what desire even looks like when separated from shame. His bi-awakening is not framed as a sudden personality rewrite, but as a gradual, nervous process of permission. The way the "teach me" trope is utilised here is both fitting and funny, given Avery's profession, and the idea of him assigning Wilder "sexy homework" and awarding him gold star stickers is exactly the sort of mildly ridiculous romcom detail this series leans into. The spice is therefore less about heat alone and more about exploration, trust, and self-recognition.
The novel also handles its heavier themes with a surprisingly deft touch. Religious trauma, parental rejection, teen parenthood, and community judgement could easily push the story into something much bleaker than the tone of the series is establishing itself to be. Instead, the authors acknowledge those wounds without allowing them to overwhelm the book's lighter romcom energy. There is a cost to that restraint. Wilder's trauma is touched on more than it is fully unpacked, and it certainly is not neatly resolved. Even so, the emotional beats that do land are genuinely affecting. One line in particular, where Wilder struggles to understand how his own parents could disown him when his love for Gracie is so absolute, captures the quiet heartbreak at the centre of his character.
More than anything, John Wilder Gets Schooled feels like the book that proves Goose Run has more to offer than its first instalment suggested. It takes the assumptions characters make about Wilder, the assumptions Goose Run has made about him, and perhaps even the assumptions I had made about the series itself, and quietly complicates them. It is still light, still funny, and still sweet, but there is more emotional texture here. More character. More place. More reason to believe in the romance beyond the immediacy of attraction. If the series continues deepening in this direction, I am much more excited to keep reading than I was after book one.
May 18, 2026
I am really liking this series. Goose Run is a small town in Virginia run by a very quirky mayor. The characters for the most part have low-middle class jobs (no billionaires!) and they work hard. There is a found family theme and characters are supportive of each other. Some of the characters have had serious things occur to them in the past but the couples work on lowering their walls and communicating with each other. Also, each book is not very long (less than 250 pages). I look forward to the last book!
February 24, 2026
4.5 Stars - Rounded Up
John Wilder Gets Schooled by Lisa Henry and Sarah Honey is the near perfect M/M romance novel.
With memorable protagonists, a delightful five-year old girl, a wonderful cast of supporting characters, and a goose that attacks anyone in sight, how could it go wrong?
If you're looking for a fun read with mild angst and chuckle-out-loud humor, this is the book for you.
John Wilder Gets Schooled by Lisa Henry and Sarah Honey is the near perfect M/M romance novel.
With memorable protagonists, a delightful five-year old girl, a wonderful cast of supporting characters, and a goose that attacks anyone in sight, how could it go wrong?
If you're looking for a fun read with mild angst and chuckle-out-loud humor, this is the book for you.
July 17, 2026
This was a great light MM romance - two likable characters, small town setting, and lots of found family.
Just don’t expect anything deep and maybe overlook a few improbabilities and it’s an easy fun feel good story.
John ❤️ Avery
John Wilder was the handsome high school hunk that everybody liked until he got his 17 yr old girlfriend pregnant. After they refused to marry, he was kicked out of his parent’s house and went to live w his friend Danny and his grandma. Wilder and his ex-girlfriend, Cassidy, decided to raise the daughter together (even tho they’re no longer a couple) but the little girl lives mostly w her mom and grandparents.
The story starts 5 years later when Wilder’s daughter is 5 and entering kindergarten. At the same time, Cassidy got a scholarship to go away to college, so he’s raising her alone for the 1st time. He works as a roofer during the day and as a stripper at night to make ends meet.
Avery is his daughter’s kindergarten teacher and they start off on the wrong foot when Wilder is consistently late dropping off or picking her up. Things take a turn when Avery goes out drinking w his teacher friends and ends getting a lap dance from Wilder on stage. Things take a further turn when he ends up buying and moving into the house next to Wilder’s.
Sparks fly, gay awakenings happen, protective feelings emerge, and Avery becomes part of Wilder’s family group complete with weekly spaghetti dinners.
❤️No third act breakup
🗣️Amazing communication - these two actually talk about everything, even when misunderstandings or hurt feelings happen, they’re addressed directly. That’s what made this story a 4 star read for me.
👬🏽MM - Avery (gay); Wilder (repressed bi feelings awakened by Avery
❤️Nickname - Johnny
⏩Small moments - loved how much Avery cared for Wilder and saw how hard he was trying. Wilder just wanting to sleep w his head on his lap and watch movies together. Could have used more of these to really see the connection.
🍎Teacher vs student’s parent - this is never an issue
🌶️Spice - open door; enough but not crazy. They start w a kiss and then Avery agrees to ‘teach’ Wilder about gay sex. Feelings grow from there.
🏠Found family - love that even tho Wilder’s house is a bit of a dump, the men don’t treat it like a frat house; they’re struggling but mature and responsible
👥Dual POV; HFN. I love you’s. Out and open about heir relationship.
Wilder is 22 and dealing w lots of responsibility at a young age. I found his reactions and struggles believable. The suspension of belief comes in to play w the whole stripper side hustle. In such a small town how is it possible that 1) there’s enough business? And 2) that everyone in town isn’t aware that this is his gig?? 🤷🏻♀️
Anyway, I really like it! I liked that it didn’t delve too deeply into their trauma and backstories. I wanted something light and easy and this was it.
I can’t wait to read the rest.
Just don’t expect anything deep and maybe overlook a few improbabilities and it’s an easy fun feel good story.
John ❤️ Avery
John Wilder was the handsome high school hunk that everybody liked until he got his 17 yr old girlfriend pregnant. After they refused to marry, he was kicked out of his parent’s house and went to live w his friend Danny and his grandma. Wilder and his ex-girlfriend, Cassidy, decided to raise the daughter together (even tho they’re no longer a couple) but the little girl lives mostly w her mom and grandparents.
The story starts 5 years later when Wilder’s daughter is 5 and entering kindergarten. At the same time, Cassidy got a scholarship to go away to college, so he’s raising her alone for the 1st time. He works as a roofer during the day and as a stripper at night to make ends meet.
Avery is his daughter’s kindergarten teacher and they start off on the wrong foot when Wilder is consistently late dropping off or picking her up. Things take a turn when Avery goes out drinking w his teacher friends and ends getting a lap dance from Wilder on stage. Things take a further turn when he ends up buying and moving into the house next to Wilder’s.
Sparks fly, gay awakenings happen, protective feelings emerge, and Avery becomes part of Wilder’s family group complete with weekly spaghetti dinners.
❤️No third act breakup
🗣️Amazing communication - these two actually talk about everything, even when misunderstandings or hurt feelings happen, they’re addressed directly. That’s what made this story a 4 star read for me.
👬🏽MM - Avery (gay); Wilder (repressed bi feelings awakened by Avery
❤️Nickname - Johnny
⏩Small moments - loved how much Avery cared for Wilder and saw how hard he was trying. Wilder just wanting to sleep w his head on his lap and watch movies together. Could have used more of these to really see the connection.
🍎Teacher vs student’s parent - this is never an issue
🌶️Spice - open door; enough but not crazy. They start w a kiss and then Avery agrees to ‘teach’ Wilder about gay sex. Feelings grow from there.
🏠Found family - love that even tho Wilder’s house is a bit of a dump, the men don’t treat it like a frat house; they’re struggling but mature and responsible
👥Dual POV; HFN. I love you’s. Out and open about heir relationship.
Wilder is 22 and dealing w lots of responsibility at a young age. I found his reactions and struggles believable. The suspension of belief comes in to play w the whole stripper side hustle. In such a small town how is it possible that 1) there’s enough business? And 2) that everyone in town isn’t aware that this is his gig?? 🤷🏻♀️
Anyway, I really like it! I liked that it didn’t delve too deeply into their trauma and backstories. I wanted something light and easy and this was it.
I can’t wait to read the rest.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2026
I have to admit I read the first two books in the series out of order but I don’t feel I missed anything doing it that way. I much preferred this book to the first. We have former Christian golden boy who knocks up his girlfriend and won’t get married so falls out of favour. Wilder ends up living with his friends and ends up with his daughter also living there. There is no drama re the ex - they are friends and she’s away getting qualifications.
I loved the I hate you to I love you vibe with this book. Avery had such a wrong first impression of him and it was lovely to watch this evolve.
I loved the I hate you to I love you vibe with this book. Avery had such a wrong first impression of him and it was lovely to watch this evolve.
August 26, 2026
Soooo. This was really cute and funny. It was slightly better than the last one but overall I’m underwhelmed…like I said, cute, super sweet, and funny, but I need more passion, man. I fully admit to being a sucker for over-the-top romance.
July 3, 2026
Omg MY HEART! 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
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April 11, 20263.5 Stars
April 25, 2026
This is number two and it has more weight and overall development.
You have more to bite into.
The female characters are not the enemy.
The kid is a kid.
The best part is there’s no silly drama.
These are some cool dudes.
You have more to bite into.
The female characters are not the enemy.
The kid is a kid.
The best part is there’s no silly drama.
These are some cool dudes.
August 18, 2026
Story 3.5* B-
Narration by Nick J. Russo 5* A
This is a difficult book for me to rate. I didn't care for Avery much the first part of the book as he came off as a little too judgemental about Wilder being late. He didn't know Wilder's situation and while I get he had the right to set boundaries as Gracie's teacher, it could be done that in a kinder way. Also I was a little bored the first half of the book, even though many of the characters are fun and at times endearing. The issues Wilder has faced, and is still facing, are brought up but never fully explored. Once or twice it seems like the outside issues are going to be a problem, but they never amount to much on page.
The second half of the book is more engaging as Avery and Wilder get to know each other, and we spend time with Wilder's found family. Overall sweet with some quirky and likeable characters, but pretty fluffy even with a few bumps in the road.
The narration is, of course, top notch.
Narration by Nick J. Russo 5* A
This is a difficult book for me to rate. I didn't care for Avery much the first part of the book as he came off as a little too judgemental about Wilder being late. He didn't know Wilder's situation and while I get he had the right to set boundaries as Gracie's teacher, it could be done that in a kinder way. Also I was a little bored the first half of the book, even though many of the characters are fun and at times endearing. The issues Wilder has faced, and is still facing, are brought up but never fully explored. Once or twice it seems like the outside issues are going to be a problem, but they never amount to much on page.
The second half of the book is more engaging as Avery and Wilder get to know each other, and we spend time with Wilder's found family. Overall sweet with some quirky and likeable characters, but pretty fluffy even with a few bumps in the road.
The narration is, of course, top notch.
January 24, 2026
I liked the start. Avery thinking Wilder was a deadbeat dad and being slightly antagonistic was good and seeing Wilder's struggles at being a "single" dad (with quotes because here wasn't truly alone with how his roommates helped) created a good dynamic.
I like how Avery didn't go completely down the antagonist route, giving Wilder the benefit of the doubt when he learned more of him. I could've seen this story keeping Avery's misconception and using that as a basis for judging Wilder.
Both of their awkwardness around the lap dance incident was pretty enjoyable. I liked that they both agreed not to talk about it but were ok with talking around it after some time had passed.
I was not a fan of Jesus, why the fuck did we need that visual? It did not need to be that gruesome. The story playing it down just a chapter later really emphasized how unnecessary that was.
I think
The sexual awakening part was decent but I personally thought that it could've gone slower considering this was literally Wilder's first time doing anything with a man. Like I wouldn't have minded if they built up to actual factual sex, first staying with kisses, then feeling each other through their clothes, eventually moving to Wilder getting naked but Avery staying dressed for a bit, then both of them naked, so on. The romance was pretty ok though, if a little too repetitive with the whole "he said he didn't want to be in a relationship" from Avery and the Wilder's lack of initiative (save for one scene).
I liked Avery's relationship with his brother, Dallas. It was nice seeing his big brother give him advice about teaching and having a work-life balance and it was especially nice that he wasn't the overbearing, "I know better than you so you should listen to me" kind of sibling. He actually respected Avery's life decision of hooking up with Wilder despite him clearly thinking it was a bad idea considering Avery's lack of experience with casual. He didn't go all "You shouldn't be doing this!", instead he seemed supportive (when he told Avery that it was probably ok to just date Wilder), just a little wary (which was understandable considering his status as a big bro).
Chase and Chase getting yet another random "Cash has nightmares and accidentally punched Chase in the face" scene was weird again. I didn't like it in the first book, and I still didn't like it in this one considering how unrelated it was to literally everything else going on. I get wanting to having fleshed out characters, but dedicating a random scene to just side characters when the scene doesn't have a clear impact on the main couple just feels wrong.
Wilder suddenly having
I was not a fan that Wilder and Avery's third act hinged on the sudden focus on their perception of one another's social reputations when that hadn't been a theme in the story at all up until it was. It's like the third act came from a different draft where Wilder was more self conscious about living on borderline poverty and he thought that Avery looked down at him for it (when that was never the case).
The conclusion was fine, though it did leave a number of open questions for me (which combined with my feelings in the third act, made me think that this story needed one more consistency pass). Two main things:
1. Wilder's conflict with his in-laws just disappearing after like two very intense scenes. Why even have them be so antagonistic if they were going to disappear so early on. The way the book had them, it felt like they were being set up to be Wilder's biggest source of conflict yet they just go away after Cassie talks to them? They shouldn't have even been in the story of they were just going to stop being a problem.
2. Wilder's relationship with his dad. The man didn't even show up physically in the story . Again, similar to Wilder's in-laws, the story's structure sort of sets his dad to be Chekov's gun but doesn't really follow through? I was expecting some confrontation where Wilder would once again denounce his dad and finally let himself embrace his suppressed sexuality/move on from their traumatic rejection, but it never happens.
Avery's side of the story was generally consistent primarily because his character arc focused on him trying to navigate his attraction to Wilder, but Wilder's side of the book felt like a mishmash of underdeveloped plot threads. His in-laws just stop being problems, his dad only does one thing at the end and Wilder isn't given proper closure on their relationship, his job situation never really gets bad enough then it magically gets better without any work on Wilder's part... The authors should've plotted out his character arc because there were serious consistency issues with where the book was taking him.
TL;DR: The story is ok up until the last 25% where the book sort of felt disjointed. Character arcs are 50/50, but the romance is alright. 2.75 stars rounded up.
I like how Avery didn't go completely down the antagonist route, giving Wilder the benefit of the doubt when he learned more of him. I could've seen this story keeping Avery's misconception and using that as a basis for judging Wilder.
Both of their awkwardness around the lap dance incident was pretty enjoyable. I liked that they both agreed not to talk about it but were ok with talking around it after some time had passed.
I was not a fan of Jesus, why the fuck did we need that visual? It did not need to be that gruesome. The story playing it down just a chapter later really emphasized how unnecessary that was.
I think
The sexual awakening part was decent but I personally thought that it could've gone slower considering this was literally Wilder's first time doing anything with a man. Like I wouldn't have minded if they built up to actual factual sex, first staying with kisses, then feeling each other through their clothes, eventually moving to Wilder getting naked but Avery staying dressed for a bit, then both of them naked, so on. The romance was pretty ok though, if a little too repetitive with the whole "he said he didn't want to be in a relationship" from Avery and the Wilder's lack of initiative (save for one scene).
I liked Avery's relationship with his brother, Dallas. It was nice seeing his big brother give him advice about teaching and having a work-life balance and it was especially nice that he wasn't the overbearing, "I know better than you so you should listen to me" kind of sibling. He actually respected Avery's life decision of hooking up with Wilder despite him clearly thinking it was a bad idea considering Avery's lack of experience with casual. He didn't go all "You shouldn't be doing this!", instead he seemed supportive (when he told Avery that it was probably ok to just date Wilder), just a little wary (which was understandable considering his status as a big bro).
Chase and Chase getting yet another random "Cash has nightmares and accidentally punched Chase in the face" scene was weird again. I didn't like it in the first book, and I still didn't like it in this one considering how unrelated it was to literally everything else going on. I get wanting to having fleshed out characters, but dedicating a random scene to just side characters when the scene doesn't have a clear impact on the main couple just feels wrong.
Wilder suddenly having
I was not a fan that Wilder and Avery's third act hinged on the sudden focus on their perception of one another's social reputations when that hadn't been a theme in the story at all up until it was. It's like the third act came from a different draft where Wilder was more self conscious about living on borderline poverty and he thought that Avery looked down at him for it (when that was never the case).
The conclusion was fine, though it did leave a number of open questions for me (which combined with my feelings in the third act, made me think that this story needed one more consistency pass). Two main things:
1. Wilder's conflict with his in-laws just disappearing after like two very intense scenes. Why even have them be so antagonistic if they were going to disappear so early on. The way the book had them, it felt like they were being set up to be Wilder's biggest source of conflict yet they just go away after Cassie talks to them? They shouldn't have even been in the story of they were just going to stop being a problem.
2. Wilder's relationship with his dad. The man didn't even show up physically in the story . Again, similar to Wilder's in-laws, the story's structure sort of sets his dad to be Chekov's gun but doesn't really follow through? I was expecting some confrontation where Wilder would once again denounce his dad and finally let himself embrace his suppressed sexuality/move on from their traumatic rejection, but it never happens.
Avery's side of the story was generally consistent primarily because his character arc focused on him trying to navigate his attraction to Wilder, but Wilder's side of the book felt like a mishmash of underdeveloped plot threads. His in-laws just stop being problems, his dad only does one thing at the end and Wilder isn't given proper closure on their relationship, his job situation never really gets bad enough then it magically gets better without any work on Wilder's part... The authors should've plotted out his character arc because there were serious consistency issues with where the book was taking him.
TL;DR: The story is ok up until the last 25% where the book sort of felt disjointed. Character arcs are 50/50, but the romance is alright. 2.75 stars rounded up.
July 28, 2026
Golden Retriever Energy, Small-Town Charm & All the Feels
🎧 Narrated by Nick J. Russo
I picked up John Wilder Gets Schooled because I was looking for a short, sweet, low-drama read—and not only did it deliver exactly what I was hoping for, it gave me even more. This was such a wholesome, heartwarming romance that left me smiling from beginning to end.
This was my first book by Lisa Henry and Sarah Honey, and it definitely won't be my last.
Wilder and Avery were absolutely adorable together. Honestly, I loved all of the main characters. Wilder is exactly my type of book boyfriend—blond, bearded, rocking a man bun, ridiculously sexy, and giving off pure golden retriever energy. Beneath that charming exterior, though, he's struggling. As a single dad working two jobs—one of them as a stripper 😉—he's barely making ends meet, constantly exhausted, and trying to navigate an unexpected bi-awakening after meeting his daughter Gracie's kindergarten teacher.
Avery is the complete opposite in the best possible way. He's the sweet, nerdy, openly gay kindergarten teacher who instantly falls for Gracie's handsome dad. He is kind, patient, awkwardly adorable, and the perfect match for Wilder.
And then there's Gracie. She completely stole my heart. At only five years old, she isn't just there to be cute—she's an essential part of the story and the emotional glue that brings everything together. Her relationship with both men made this romance feel genuine, heartfelt, and incredibly human.
The characters felt wonderfully relatable. They face real-life struggles, financial worries, difficult family relationships, and the uncertainty of starting over. At times the story was heartbreaking, at others laugh-out-loud funny, but it always felt authentic.
I also really enjoyed the writing style. It flowed effortlessly without unnecessary filler or repetitive inner monologues. The humor landed perfectly, the emotional moments felt sincere, and the romance developed naturally.
My only real complaint is that I wanted a little more closure. I would have loved to see some satisfying consequences for Wilder's parents, who frustrated me throughout the book, and an epilogue giving us a glimpse into Wilder and Avery's future together.
Even though this is part of a series, it works perfectly as a standalone. I actually started with this one, but after enjoying it so much, I'll definitely be going back to read book one and then continue with the rest of the series.
Nick J. Russo absolutely elevated the audiobook experience. Despite narrating solo, he gave every character a distinct personality and brought so much warmth, humor, and emotion to the story. Not once did I find myself wishing for dual narration or a second narrator—he carried the entire book effortlessly.
If you're looking for a light, wholesome, small-town MM romance with lovable characters, plenty of heart, genuine humor, and very little unnecessary drama, this is an easy recommendation.
⭐ Breakdown
📖 Story: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
❤️ Characters: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
✍️ Writing: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
🌶️ Spice: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5)
🎙️ Narration: ★★★★★ (5/5)
🎧 Narrated by Nick J. Russo
I picked up John Wilder Gets Schooled because I was looking for a short, sweet, low-drama read—and not only did it deliver exactly what I was hoping for, it gave me even more. This was such a wholesome, heartwarming romance that left me smiling from beginning to end.
This was my first book by Lisa Henry and Sarah Honey, and it definitely won't be my last.
Wilder and Avery were absolutely adorable together. Honestly, I loved all of the main characters. Wilder is exactly my type of book boyfriend—blond, bearded, rocking a man bun, ridiculously sexy, and giving off pure golden retriever energy. Beneath that charming exterior, though, he's struggling. As a single dad working two jobs—one of them as a stripper 😉—he's barely making ends meet, constantly exhausted, and trying to navigate an unexpected bi-awakening after meeting his daughter Gracie's kindergarten teacher.
Avery is the complete opposite in the best possible way. He's the sweet, nerdy, openly gay kindergarten teacher who instantly falls for Gracie's handsome dad. He is kind, patient, awkwardly adorable, and the perfect match for Wilder.
And then there's Gracie. She completely stole my heart. At only five years old, she isn't just there to be cute—she's an essential part of the story and the emotional glue that brings everything together. Her relationship with both men made this romance feel genuine, heartfelt, and incredibly human.
The characters felt wonderfully relatable. They face real-life struggles, financial worries, difficult family relationships, and the uncertainty of starting over. At times the story was heartbreaking, at others laugh-out-loud funny, but it always felt authentic.
I also really enjoyed the writing style. It flowed effortlessly without unnecessary filler or repetitive inner monologues. The humor landed perfectly, the emotional moments felt sincere, and the romance developed naturally.
My only real complaint is that I wanted a little more closure. I would have loved to see some satisfying consequences for Wilder's parents, who frustrated me throughout the book, and an epilogue giving us a glimpse into Wilder and Avery's future together.
Even though this is part of a series, it works perfectly as a standalone. I actually started with this one, but after enjoying it so much, I'll definitely be going back to read book one and then continue with the rest of the series.
Nick J. Russo absolutely elevated the audiobook experience. Despite narrating solo, he gave every character a distinct personality and brought so much warmth, humor, and emotion to the story. Not once did I find myself wishing for dual narration or a second narrator—he carried the entire book effortlessly.
If you're looking for a light, wholesome, small-town MM romance with lovable characters, plenty of heart, genuine humor, and very little unnecessary drama, this is an easy recommendation.
⭐ Breakdown
📖 Story: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
❤️ Characters: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
✍️ Writing: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
🌶️ Spice: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5)
🎙️ Narration: ★★★★★ (5/5)
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