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Smile Series #1
You Should Smile
Alternate-cover edition can be found here
“You should smile,” I heard him say.
Unsure, I squinted my eyes from the sun, used my hand as a shade, and turned toward his voice. “I’m sorry?”
“You should smile,” he stated louder. “It’s a beautiful fall day. Summer’s wrath is left behind. So smile.” He stepped out from the shadows and into the sun where I could see him clearly. My lord. I’d heard the phrase ‘sex on a stick’ before, but never knew what it really meant. I did then.
A smile slowly crept across my lips. “You’re not supposed to tell women to smile. It can be offensive,” I said, teasing him.
“But you are smiling now, aren’t you?” he teased back.
“True. Any more advice for me?” I met his eyes. They were deep blue.
He nodded his head slowly. “Yes. Ditch that guy and come with me...."
Graduate student Shay Elliott gets hit on by a sexy stranger in a gas station parking lot - and the sparks fly immediately. She's there with her boyfriend, though, so she declines the man's invitation to leave with him. She thinks she'll never see him again....
She was wrong.
He's just been hired as a professor at her university - and she's about to become his student.
“You should smile,” I heard him say.
Unsure, I squinted my eyes from the sun, used my hand as a shade, and turned toward his voice. “I’m sorry?”
“You should smile,” he stated louder. “It’s a beautiful fall day. Summer’s wrath is left behind. So smile.” He stepped out from the shadows and into the sun where I could see him clearly. My lord. I’d heard the phrase ‘sex on a stick’ before, but never knew what it really meant. I did then.
A smile slowly crept across my lips. “You’re not supposed to tell women to smile. It can be offensive,” I said, teasing him.
“But you are smiling now, aren’t you?” he teased back.
“True. Any more advice for me?” I met his eyes. They were deep blue.
He nodded his head slowly. “Yes. Ditch that guy and come with me...."
Graduate student Shay Elliott gets hit on by a sexy stranger in a gas station parking lot - and the sparks fly immediately. She's there with her boyfriend, though, so she declines the man's invitation to leave with him. She thinks she'll never see him again....
She was wrong.
He's just been hired as a professor at her university - and she's about to become his student.
253 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2015
10 people are currently reading
193 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
June 25, 2015
Don't bother
This book was horrible. It had the potential to be a good book. The idea for the book was good. The author just didn't know how to write. The female character kept saying,if this was a movie,this would happen next. It was aggregating and distracting. Plus the nickname truck grinner,awful.
This book was horrible. It had the potential to be a good book. The idea for the book was good. The author just didn't know how to write. The female character kept saying,if this was a movie,this would happen next. It was aggregating and distracting. Plus the nickname truck grinner,awful.
November 29, 2016
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thad and Shay meet at a gas station and the chemistry between them is both instant and intense. But Shay is with another guy at the time so nothing happens. They meet again when Thad is interviewing for a professor's position at the college where Shay attends graduate school. He becomes one of the members of her dissertation committee so it becomes a conflict of interest for them to pursue a relationship. They fight the attraction for over a year before they finally give in. But nothing is easy when it involves a student/teacher relationship.
I liked this book well enough. Unfortunately, I didn't care for the heroine throughout most of the story so my review contains some SPOILERISH comments and rants about her actions. Please stop reading now if you don't want to see them.
I found Shay to be immature and annoying for her age. She drinks entirely too much and is reckless, and her friends just basically watch her without stepping in. She names her "livid libido" Ms. L and then talks about Ms. L as if she's a real person. WTH is up with that?? It was weird! My biggest complaint is the running. I HATE books with characters who choose to run rather than confront a situation head on. The issue happened years prior to Shay and Thad meeting. Years. And when Shay does come back, Thad is the one to take the blame and apologize. [shakes head.....not cool at all]
Thad, I genuinely liked. He falls hard for Shay who is basically his student, and he does everything he can to protect her and her future. Thad's feelings for Shay are real and I appreciated that he tried not to cross that line for her benefit.
The last chapter is sweet and the ending is a happy one. It's an okay read but not one I would re-read.
Thad and Shay meet at a gas station and the chemistry between them is both instant and intense. But Shay is with another guy at the time so nothing happens. They meet again when Thad is interviewing for a professor's position at the college where Shay attends graduate school. He becomes one of the members of her dissertation committee so it becomes a conflict of interest for them to pursue a relationship. They fight the attraction for over a year before they finally give in. But nothing is easy when it involves a student/teacher relationship.
I liked this book well enough. Unfortunately, I didn't care for the heroine throughout most of the story so my review contains some SPOILERISH comments and rants about her actions. Please stop reading now if you don't want to see them.
I found Shay to be immature and annoying for her age. She drinks entirely too much and is reckless, and her friends just basically watch her without stepping in. She names her "livid libido" Ms. L and then talks about Ms. L as if she's a real person. WTH is up with that?? It was weird! My biggest complaint is the running. I HATE books with characters who choose to run rather than confront a situation head on. The issue happened years prior to Shay and Thad meeting. Years. And when Shay does come back, Thad is the one to take the blame and apologize. [shakes head.....not cool at all]
Thad, I genuinely liked. He falls hard for Shay who is basically his student, and he does everything he can to protect her and her future. Thad's feelings for Shay are real and I appreciated that he tried not to cross that line for her benefit.
The last chapter is sweet and the ending is a happy one. It's an okay read but not one I would re-read.
November 23, 2015
3 Stars, and I'm being kind with that rating since I think this just could have been really great. The book has the makings of a 4 star book, maybe even a 4.5 star book. But when I say this book was too long, I mean it was too long. Had obstacles that were completely unnecessary, had redundancy that was annoying. And seriously, this book was in desperate need of a good editor if only to tell the author to take out the overly repetitive "do you know the part in the movie where..." We get it. We got it the first 5 times, didn't need the additional 50 mentions. Not an exaggeration.
The core story here is good. The graduate student and the professor. Love the characters' chemistry and for the most part enjoyed the in-depth character development. Didn't love her all the time, but also didn't really dislike her. In general, enjoyed both leads here for the majority of the book. I liked the pacing of their romance, the slow build of their connection and relationship. Their chemistry was palpable, while understanding the significance of what they would be embarking on. Unfortunately, because of the many other problems with this book, which are even more than what I mentioned above, this book was just average overall. Great sometimes, but too many problems to suggest that this is anything close to a great book. But it could have been and should have been.
Oh, and truly hated her nickname for him and it's used constantly. So, that was just one more annoyance.
The core story here is good. The graduate student and the professor. Love the characters' chemistry and for the most part enjoyed the in-depth character development. Didn't love her all the time, but also didn't really dislike her. In general, enjoyed both leads here for the majority of the book. I liked the pacing of their romance, the slow build of their connection and relationship. Their chemistry was palpable, while understanding the significance of what they would be embarking on. Unfortunately, because of the many other problems with this book, which are even more than what I mentioned above, this book was just average overall. Great sometimes, but too many problems to suggest that this is anything close to a great book. But it could have been and should have been.
Oh, and truly hated her nickname for him and it's used constantly. So, that was just one more annoyance.
April 29, 2015
Not a movie!
The story was actually good. The dialogue however was terrible. There was huge time gaps that haulted character development. And the most annoying thing was the constant repetition of " if this was a movie..." " this is the part in a movie..." "just like in the movies" OMG SERIOUSLY ITS NOT A MOVIE IT IS A BOOK!!!. I wanted to scream. I understand that it was part of the characters "interest in movies" that fueled these "thoughts" but it was grossly exaggerated and incredibly annoying!!
The story was actually good. The dialogue however was terrible. There was huge time gaps that haulted character development. And the most annoying thing was the constant repetition of " if this was a movie..." " this is the part in a movie..." "just like in the movies" OMG SERIOUSLY ITS NOT A MOVIE IT IS A BOOK!!!. I wanted to scream. I understand that it was part of the characters "interest in movies" that fueled these "thoughts" but it was grossly exaggerated and incredibly annoying!!
November 11, 2016
loved it
October 21, 2015
DNF
Nice premise, but it did not work for me. It may work for you. I am not telling you not to read it.
Heroine is 26 working towards her dissertation. She meets a guy at a gas station. She later finds out he is one of the professors at her college.
Shay's references to movies was cute at first, but then it became annoying. Her inner dialogue became redundant.
Her reference to Ms. L, her libido, was redundant and ridiculous especially when she told the hero, the professor on her dissertation committee, that she has a livid libido and it's been cussing her out. (loc 842)
Heroine and her talk about her libido annoyed me. I am not sure why the hero even liked her except that she had great breasts and was curvy in all the right places. Her words not mine. I usually love funny inner dialogue, but after awhile it all became awkward and I felt that there was never a point to it.
Nice premise, but it did not work for me. It may work for you. I am not telling you not to read it.
Heroine is 26 working towards her dissertation. She meets a guy at a gas station. She later finds out he is one of the professors at her college.
Shay's references to movies was cute at first, but then it became annoying. Her inner dialogue became redundant.
Her reference to Ms. L, her libido, was redundant and ridiculous especially when she told the hero, the professor on her dissertation committee, that she has a livid libido and it's been cussing her out. (loc 842)
Heroine and her talk about her libido annoyed me. I am not sure why the hero even liked her except that she had great breasts and was curvy in all the right places. Her words not mine. I usually love funny inner dialogue, but after awhile it all became awkward and I felt that there was never a point to it.
November 26, 2016
If you loved the notebook... I loved this book. I loved the student/professor storyline and the chemistry between the characters. I adored Thad and the way he felt about 'Smiles'. He was swoonworthy and hot and that grin...Wow, I could picture it. I loved the way their relationship built up slowly, it created tension and passion and made you feel it was real- it wasn't a quick hookup that turned into a romance. It was an attraction that turned into a professional relationship, that became and friendship and ultimately a super hot relationship. Can't wait to read more from this author
December 7, 2016
Thad is your next book boyfriend. He has everything you could want, good looks, rugged sex appeal, smart, and of course; hot tempered. This is the perfect read if you like Fifty Shades or Beautiful Disaster. From the moment Thad and Shay meet, you can't deny their intense chemistry. While they try to fight their growing attraction, readers fall instantly in love with their characters.
December 1, 2016
I received this book as part of a new review group on Facebook, so I'm kind of like a beta reader in a sense.
I give this book 5 stars because I think Renee has awesome potential. I can't wait to read the other things she's working on.
As a writer myself, I am constantly reading in a writers POV so I understand how difficult it can be to depict a relationship based on words and to describe each emotional attachment.
Shay and Thad had amazing chemistry. The basis for their relationship was suppose to feel wrong yet it felt so good and I found myself on the edge of my seat as I read when their relationship unfolds. Something about a forbidden romance gets me every time.
Shay was settling in a mediocre relationship with Decent Pete until Pickup Grinner, Dr Redding came and rocked her world.
There were a few nit picky things as a reader that I had to think about to comprehend like Mrs. L (I don't know why I didn't remember that was her libido) and I kinda wished that Chapter 1 was a little longer but nonetheless, I really think you did a great job!!
Much love and good luck with your next book too!!!
I give this book 5 stars because I think Renee has awesome potential. I can't wait to read the other things she's working on.
As a writer myself, I am constantly reading in a writers POV so I understand how difficult it can be to depict a relationship based on words and to describe each emotional attachment.
Shay and Thad had amazing chemistry. The basis for their relationship was suppose to feel wrong yet it felt so good and I found myself on the edge of my seat as I read when their relationship unfolds. Something about a forbidden romance gets me every time.
Shay was settling in a mediocre relationship with Decent Pete until Pickup Grinner, Dr Redding came and rocked her world.
There were a few nit picky things as a reader that I had to think about to comprehend like Mrs. L (I don't know why I didn't remember that was her libido) and I kinda wished that Chapter 1 was a little longer but nonetheless, I really think you did a great job!!
Much love and good luck with your next book too!!!
May 22, 2017
Deep sighs and swooning!
4.5 Stars! Eek! Lots of deep sighs and swooning brought on by this book and holy only were the sexy times hot! P.G. and Smiles...who wouldn't love those nicknames, they are perfectly suites for this story! The bits of angst and the villains of this story had me wanting to reach through the pages and do some physical damage of my own...it was awesome!
4.5 Stars! Eek! Lots of deep sighs and swooning brought on by this book and holy only were the sexy times hot! P.G. and Smiles...who wouldn't love those nicknames, they are perfectly suites for this story! The bits of angst and the villains of this story had me wanting to reach through the pages and do some physical damage of my own...it was awesome!
December 26, 2017
Such a sweet story. The intensity between them was amazing and just got better the longer they waited. Loved these character and their story.
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December 5, 2016
First off, I'm not always a big fan of teacher/student romances – it sometimes comes off a little skeevy to me, so I was happy to see that Shay was a doctoral student in her 20s while Thad was only early 30s - yay. It's a cute premise, Shay meets a hot guy at a gas station, he tells her to smile and offers to whisk her away with him – Shay's with her boyfriend at the time so declines and doesn't think she'll ever see him again. Cue, him showing up as her new professor. Even after she's ditched the boyfriend then ethically her professor can't be seen to be involved with her – so they both agree to fight the attraction between them. As you may guess, that doesn't really work out ;)
I liked Shay as a character, she was funny, outspoken and constantly making me laugh with her 'foot in mouth' comments. 99% of the story is first person from her viewpoint. I don't always love first person, but Shay had a fanastic inner voice. The story is very much a slow burn, which was quite nice as a change from the influx of insta-love stories. It's spread over maybe a year and since Shay and Thad are resisting their physical attraction but forced into close proximity, we see the emotional build-up as they slowly become friends and then more. I liked that even after they eventually seemed to get together, the author showed a good picture of the kind of early relationship issues that are often ignored when a story is ended on the 'get together'. It was also nice that Shay getting to know Thad more revealed his issues and imperfections – he wasn't the 'perfect hero' she'd sort of seen him as at the start, but it made him more real and relatable to. Also some great secondary characters – I loved Grant in particular. The best friend we all kinda wish we had :)
There was a lot of angst involved. Some of it, like Thad's exes, did feel a little overdone at times, but overall the plot kept me interested. The ending was a little drawn out for me personally, and I really don't like foreshadowing (which did keep popping up!) but apart from that a sweet and steamy story that kept me up past my bedtime. Will be looking for more from this author.
I liked Shay as a character, she was funny, outspoken and constantly making me laugh with her 'foot in mouth' comments. 99% of the story is first person from her viewpoint. I don't always love first person, but Shay had a fanastic inner voice. The story is very much a slow burn, which was quite nice as a change from the influx of insta-love stories. It's spread over maybe a year and since Shay and Thad are resisting their physical attraction but forced into close proximity, we see the emotional build-up as they slowly become friends and then more. I liked that even after they eventually seemed to get together, the author showed a good picture of the kind of early relationship issues that are often ignored when a story is ended on the 'get together'. It was also nice that Shay getting to know Thad more revealed his issues and imperfections – he wasn't the 'perfect hero' she'd sort of seen him as at the start, but it made him more real and relatable to. Also some great secondary characters – I loved Grant in particular. The best friend we all kinda wish we had :)
There was a lot of angst involved. Some of it, like Thad's exes, did feel a little overdone at times, but overall the plot kept me interested. The ending was a little drawn out for me personally, and I really don't like foreshadowing (which did keep popping up!) but apart from that a sweet and steamy story that kept me up past my bedtime. Will be looking for more from this author.
November 25, 2016
Loved it, whew hot!!!!
I received an ARC for an honest review from Hidden Gems Romance. I couldn't put it down, I was engrossed in the lives of Shay and Thad. When Thad approached Shay at the gas station with her boyfriend "Decent Pete" obliviously pumping gas, I was hooked. I loved how they didn't jump in bed at their first encounter, but how they held out for a year I don't know with the chemistry between them, which was intense. I was frustrated for them. I loved how Thad protected Shay when she ran into her cheating ex "Mama's Boy" and former bestfriend that betrayed her and he thanked "Mama's Boy" for breaking up with Shay so he could meet her and looked the best friend up and down and said, "I don't get it", ha-ha, loved it. Shay's bestfriend, Grant who she called "Queenie" was definitely a bestfriend to her. What I didn't like was Thad's horrible temper and we were primed to how terrible his temper could be based on his bestfriends, Lance, Chris and Sam always referencing it. Didn't like Shay turning to the bottle to get blitz so we see both characters flaws. Overall, i enjoyed this book with all of the drama hot steamy sex scenes. I will definitely read other books by this author. Would love to read about anyone of Thad's friends.
I received an ARC for an honest review from Hidden Gems Romance. I couldn't put it down, I was engrossed in the lives of Shay and Thad. When Thad approached Shay at the gas station with her boyfriend "Decent Pete" obliviously pumping gas, I was hooked. I loved how they didn't jump in bed at their first encounter, but how they held out for a year I don't know with the chemistry between them, which was intense. I was frustrated for them. I loved how Thad protected Shay when she ran into her cheating ex "Mama's Boy" and former bestfriend that betrayed her and he thanked "Mama's Boy" for breaking up with Shay so he could meet her and looked the best friend up and down and said, "I don't get it", ha-ha, loved it. Shay's bestfriend, Grant who she called "Queenie" was definitely a bestfriend to her. What I didn't like was Thad's horrible temper and we were primed to how terrible his temper could be based on his bestfriends, Lance, Chris and Sam always referencing it. Didn't like Shay turning to the bottle to get blitz so we see both characters flaws. Overall, i enjoyed this book with all of the drama hot steamy sex scenes. I will definitely read other books by this author. Would love to read about anyone of Thad's friends.
November 27, 2016
What to say about this book?
I loved it whilst reading it, didn't think the Professor/ Student trope was outrageous (Shay was, after all 26), admired their resolve in keeping things "secret", etc, etc...
It was only afterwards when thinking about the story that I felt a bit...meh. The misunderstandings and obstacles were a bit too obvious, the constant film references were trying and the denouement in the Dean's office was, frankly, unbelievable.
That said, I will still read more from this author as the story showed promise.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book via Hidden Gems.
I loved it whilst reading it, didn't think the Professor/ Student trope was outrageous (Shay was, after all 26), admired their resolve in keeping things "secret", etc, etc...
It was only afterwards when thinking about the story that I felt a bit...meh. The misunderstandings and obstacles were a bit too obvious, the constant film references were trying and the denouement in the Dean's office was, frankly, unbelievable.
That said, I will still read more from this author as the story showed promise.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book via Hidden Gems.
November 28, 2016
I received an ARC of this book for an honest review.
I really felt that Renee has huge potential as an author. The story was great. I got sucked in quickly and felt the chemistry between the characters. I wanted to give it more stars as there were sections of the book I thought were extremely well written but I felt there needed to be just a few tweaks that would have improved the reading experience for me. I would have loved to have seen more of the ex girlfriend as I love characters that create bumps in the road. She could have been a prize bitch with more character development.
Overall, I liked Renee's style of writing and I look forward to seeing her develop as an author.
I really felt that Renee has huge potential as an author. The story was great. I got sucked in quickly and felt the chemistry between the characters. I wanted to give it more stars as there were sections of the book I thought were extremely well written but I felt there needed to be just a few tweaks that would have improved the reading experience for me. I would have loved to have seen more of the ex girlfriend as I love characters that create bumps in the road. She could have been a prize bitch with more character development.
Overall, I liked Renee's style of writing and I look forward to seeing her develop as an author.
November 29, 2016
A wonderful down to earth romance.
This book was great, it had all of the elements of a good book for me. Romance, a little drama, and of course a HEA.
While I enjoyed this book I found it to drag on quite a bit. Hence the 4 stars. I like a more fast paced book.
I will be reading more from this author as her book was more about the emotional connection between the hero and heroine than smutty sexual connection. It was a nice relief for once
This book was great, it had all of the elements of a good book for me. Romance, a little drama, and of course a HEA.
While I enjoyed this book I found it to drag on quite a bit. Hence the 4 stars. I like a more fast paced book.
I will be reading more from this author as her book was more about the emotional connection between the hero and heroine than smutty sexual connection. It was a nice relief for once
November 27, 2016
You Should Smile, by Renee Leigh, is my first book by this author. This is a taboo subject - student/teacher. However, when these two originally met, they didn't know. Once they are forced to work together, the sparks fly and the lines blur. This story includes hard choices, consequences, obstacles and more. It's a great read.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
November 28, 2016
When I first started reading this book, I thought it might be just another's r sappy romance Boy was I wrong! This book covers a wide range of emotions...and the characters experience so many things that you just don't expect. The storyline contains so many twists and turns that you can't keep up.
It's a terrific read!
It's a terrific read!
April 20, 2015
I'm still smiling.
This book was nothing like I was expecting... it was so much more. T/S romances are my number 1 guilty pleasure. While it was more, frowned upon than forbidden, it did not disappoint. I'll most likely read this again.
This book was nothing like I was expecting... it was so much more. T/S romances are my number 1 guilty pleasure. While it was more, frowned upon than forbidden, it did not disappoint. I'll most likely read this again.
April 25, 2015
Fantastic
Beautifully written, amazing from the very start. I couldn't put it down. I made the mistake of starting it really late, 2 am to be exact. Didn't realize it was 530 before I set it down for a little while. Haha!! Definitely recommended.
Beautifully written, amazing from the very start. I couldn't put it down. I made the mistake of starting it really late, 2 am to be exact. Didn't realize it was 530 before I set it down for a little while. Haha!! Definitely recommended.
July 31, 2015
Good book. Love the aspect of "real" life being involved with all the ups and downs.
Any one who loves a good romance with a lot of steam, and all the intricacies of life. This is a book for you to read. Funny and hard to put down once you start.
Any one who loves a good romance with a lot of steam, and all the intricacies of life. This is a book for you to read. Funny and hard to put down once you start.
October 5, 2015
I absolutely looooved this book. Omg Thad and shays love story rocked. I loved how he hot all caveman on her, how he tired to protect her,how angry he gets,and how jealous he gets.omg talk about sexxxxyyyy. Great writing.
November 28, 2016
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. I really enjoyed this love story about a graduate student and her professor. I liked the characters and the storyline. The writing was amazing... I felt the emotions of the characters. I can't wait to read the next one.
January 21, 2017
It's hilarious. She calls her horny "livid libido" Ms. L and yells at it to shut up. Plus hot teacher student taboo. What's not to love? All with an awe! ending. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
March 23, 2015
Absolutely wonderful story.
September 21, 2015
Not enough stars to rate this book!
I absolutely adored this book. I haven't laughed so hard in along time. Couldn't get enough of Pickup Grinner and smiles.
I absolutely adored this book. I haven't laughed so hard in along time. Couldn't get enough of Pickup Grinner and smiles.
February 25, 2016
Great story from start to finish really loved this romance book .. I don't wanna post any spoilers so all I can say is wanna smile? wanna laugh and cry ... Read this book!
January 3, 2017
Great Book!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews