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Marrying My Professor: A Dark Academia Marriage of Convenience Romance
I get paid twenty thousand dollars a night to be somebody's girlfriend. I have exactly one never make it real.
Then a stranger offers to double my price.
One night. A borrowed dress. No real names. No strings.
I don't expect to see him again.
Until I walk into my first class at Belgrave University and find him standing behind the podium.
Professor Alexander Draven.
Thirty-one. Brilliant. Completely off limits.
He makes me read the policy out loud. Every line about professors and students.
Then he tells me to run.
I don't.
But Alexander isn't the reason I came to Belgrave.
My brother died here last April, and everyone agreed to call it something it wasn't.
I came for answers.
Instead, I find a locked office, a secret ledger, and Brandon's name handwritten in red over the name of another student.
Four factions have controlled Belgrave for two centuries. They decide which students rise, which families stay rich, and once a year, they decide on one student who doesn't walk out.
Now they've chosen me.
And Alexander has known who killed my brother the entire time.
Twenty-four hours later, I marry him.
Not for love.
Because there is exactly one way my professor can keep me alive, and I still don't know what it will cost him.
If you
🖤 Professor & Student Romance
🖤 Secret Society
🖤 Marriage of Convenience
🖤 Age Gap
🖤 Forbidden Romance
🖤 Protective, Possessive Professor
🖤 Unresolved Crime & Seeking Justice
🖤 Strong, Intelligent Heroine
🖤 Intense Slow-Burn Chemistry
Each book in the Belgrave University series follows a different couple and can be enjoyed as a standalone. Expect a dark academia romance filled with secrets, suspense, and a guaranteed HEA.
Then a stranger offers to double my price.
One night. A borrowed dress. No real names. No strings.
I don't expect to see him again.
Until I walk into my first class at Belgrave University and find him standing behind the podium.
Professor Alexander Draven.
Thirty-one. Brilliant. Completely off limits.
He makes me read the policy out loud. Every line about professors and students.
Then he tells me to run.
I don't.
But Alexander isn't the reason I came to Belgrave.
My brother died here last April, and everyone agreed to call it something it wasn't.
I came for answers.
Instead, I find a locked office, a secret ledger, and Brandon's name handwritten in red over the name of another student.
Four factions have controlled Belgrave for two centuries. They decide which students rise, which families stay rich, and once a year, they decide on one student who doesn't walk out.
Now they've chosen me.
And Alexander has known who killed my brother the entire time.
Twenty-four hours later, I marry him.
Not for love.
Because there is exactly one way my professor can keep me alive, and I still don't know what it will cost him.
If you
🖤 Professor & Student Romance
🖤 Secret Society
🖤 Marriage of Convenience
🖤 Age Gap
🖤 Forbidden Romance
🖤 Protective, Possessive Professor
🖤 Unresolved Crime & Seeking Justice
🖤 Strong, Intelligent Heroine
🖤 Intense Slow-Burn Chemistry
Each book in the Belgrave University series follows a different couple and can be enjoyed as a standalone. Expect a dark academia romance filled with secrets, suspense, and a guaranteed HEA.
- GenresDark Romance
334 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 6, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
August 9, 2026
ARC copy reviewed
Marrying My Professor was an addictive, dark academia page-turner that hit almost all the right notes for me! If you love high-stakes secret societies, heavy angst, and a hero who would burn the world down to keep the heroine safe, Sophie J. Rivers delivers in spades.
She throws you straight into the deep end with this one, the FMC arrives at Belgrave University hunting down her brother’s killer, not looking for love, and that grief-driven urgency gives the whole book a sharper edge than your average professor romance. Professor Draven isn’t just forbidden because he’s her teacher; he’s tangled up in the secret society connected to the murder itself, which raises the tension way past typical “will we get caught” stakes.
The marriage-of-convenience trope works well here because it’s not a cute misunderstanding, it’s actually a life and death situation. That’s a genuinely compelling forced-proximity setup, and the found-family/secret-society lore gives it more world-building than a lot of dark academia romances bother with.
Docking one star only because pacing dips a bit once the marriage is established, the middle stretch leans harder into political maneuvering within the Order than into their relationship, which might frustrate readers who came for the romance first. Still, a strong start to the Belgrave University series, and the ending sets up enough unresolved danger that a sequel feels necessary rather than tacked on.
Marrying My Professor was an addictive, dark academia page-turner that hit almost all the right notes for me! If you love high-stakes secret societies, heavy angst, and a hero who would burn the world down to keep the heroine safe, Sophie J. Rivers delivers in spades.
She throws you straight into the deep end with this one, the FMC arrives at Belgrave University hunting down her brother’s killer, not looking for love, and that grief-driven urgency gives the whole book a sharper edge than your average professor romance. Professor Draven isn’t just forbidden because he’s her teacher; he’s tangled up in the secret society connected to the murder itself, which raises the tension way past typical “will we get caught” stakes.
The marriage-of-convenience trope works well here because it’s not a cute misunderstanding, it’s actually a life and death situation. That’s a genuinely compelling forced-proximity setup, and the found-family/secret-society lore gives it more world-building than a lot of dark academia romances bother with.
Docking one star only because pacing dips a bit once the marriage is established, the middle stretch leans harder into political maneuvering within the Order than into their relationship, which might frustrate readers who came for the romance first. Still, a strong start to the Belgrave University series, and the ending sets up enough unresolved danger that a sequel feels necessary rather than tacked on.
August 8, 2026
Elara wants answers; she needs to know what happened to her brother. She knows the official cause of death is incorrect; Brandon would not do that. So she transfers from California to New York to continue her studies at the University where her brother was attending. While at a party, she meets Alexander, who tempts her and, for once, a man whose desires match hers.
Alexander can't stop thinking about his night with Elara and is shocked when he sees her again, in a place he wasn't expecting. She can't be here; tempting him when they are rules forbidding any type of relationship with her.
Elara knows she is getting closer; she knows something is happening at the university that her brother got involved in, but she doesn't realise the extent of it, and what they will do if she discovers their secrets.
Alexander tries to keep her at arm's length, but she is sin incarnate, and he will gladly burn at her altar. When a choice has to be made, Alexander will walk through hell forever to keep her safe.
Alexander and Elara's love for each other is used to test loyalties. Yet, Alexander will help Elara to find the truth about Brandon, and then help her get justice, no matter the consequences.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Alexander can't stop thinking about his night with Elara and is shocked when he sees her again, in a place he wasn't expecting. She can't be here; tempting him when they are rules forbidding any type of relationship with her.
Elara knows she is getting closer; she knows something is happening at the university that her brother got involved in, but she doesn't realise the extent of it, and what they will do if she discovers their secrets.
Alexander tries to keep her at arm's length, but she is sin incarnate, and he will gladly burn at her altar. When a choice has to be made, Alexander will walk through hell forever to keep her safe.
Alexander and Elara's love for each other is used to test loyalties. Yet, Alexander will help Elara to find the truth about Brandon, and then help her get justice, no matter the consequences.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Her Dangerous Path to Peace and Happiness -
Elara embarked on a journey to seek the truth about something really close to her heart and meets Alexander on her way. However, Elara doesn’t find out Alexander is connected to the investigation until she finds herself in a bind and he steps in to help her. Unfortunately, Alexander’s intervention puts him in a difficult situation, but it also gives him the opportunity to make his dream come true. Nevertheless, Elara’s connection with Alexander gives her the chance she needed to uncover the truth and satisfactorily deal with the problem.
Thankfully, Elara’s and Alexander were able to get back on track towards building their lives. This was an intriguing angst and suspense-filled romance story with a collegiate society twist, that drew me in from the first page and kept me eagerly turning the pages with all the drama, secrets, danger, intensity, emotion and sultry heat. I certainly wasn't expecting some of the things that happened, but I can say without a shadow of doubt, that I had a pleasant reading experience.
I received a free review copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Elara embarked on a journey to seek the truth about something really close to her heart and meets Alexander on her way. However, Elara doesn’t find out Alexander is connected to the investigation until she finds herself in a bind and he steps in to help her. Unfortunately, Alexander’s intervention puts him in a difficult situation, but it also gives him the opportunity to make his dream come true. Nevertheless, Elara’s connection with Alexander gives her the chance she needed to uncover the truth and satisfactorily deal with the problem.
Thankfully, Elara’s and Alexander were able to get back on track towards building their lives. This was an intriguing angst and suspense-filled romance story with a collegiate society twist, that drew me in from the first page and kept me eagerly turning the pages with all the drama, secrets, danger, intensity, emotion and sultry heat. I certainly wasn't expecting some of the things that happened, but I can say without a shadow of doubt, that I had a pleasant reading experience.
I received a free review copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Intense. Emotional. Carnal. Passionate. Addictive.
Sophie Rivers’ new series about a dangerous secret society is riveting and addictive! Amidst academia at Belgrave University, lies a brotherhood of powerful, wicked, immoral, deadly men. Initiation into the society can cost a man his life.
Elara Cross goes to Belgrave to investigate her brother’s death and meets Alexander Draven, a seductive man who is soon revealed as her professor. Dark secrets, malefic characters, and shocking developments keep the reader glued to the pages throughout the entire book.
What you can expect:
🕵️ Secret Society
😱 Suspense and Secrets
🖤 Morally Dark-Gray MMC and FMC
💋An Unexpectedly Strong Heroine
💥 Off-the-Charts Chemistry
Prepare yourself for extreme tension, morally gray dynamics, and explicit scenes that carry through to the very last page. Ms. Rivers certainly knows how to pack the elements of a dark romance into her work. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Sophie Rivers’ new series about a dangerous secret society is riveting and addictive! Amidst academia at Belgrave University, lies a brotherhood of powerful, wicked, immoral, deadly men. Initiation into the society can cost a man his life.
Elara Cross goes to Belgrave to investigate her brother’s death and meets Alexander Draven, a seductive man who is soon revealed as her professor. Dark secrets, malefic characters, and shocking developments keep the reader glued to the pages throughout the entire book.
What you can expect:
🕵️ Secret Society
😱 Suspense and Secrets
🖤 Morally Dark-Gray MMC and FMC
💋An Unexpectedly Strong Heroine
💥 Off-the-Charts Chemistry
Prepare yourself for extreme tension, morally gray dynamics, and explicit scenes that carry through to the very last page. Ms. Rivers certainly knows how to pack the elements of a dark romance into her work. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow what a great story 5 Stars for Marrying My Professor by Sophie J. Rivers!
I was hooked immediately what you will find :
Mistaken identity
Awesome well written slightly unhinged characters
Age gap
Secret society
Professor & student
Unresolved crime - seeking justice
Strong MFC
Undeniable intense chemistry
Could not put this one down loved it !.
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I was hooked immediately what you will find :
Mistaken identity
Awesome well written slightly unhinged characters
Age gap
Secret society
Professor & student
Unresolved crime - seeking justice
Strong MFC
Undeniable intense chemistry
Could not put this one down loved it !.
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 7, 2026
Wow, just wow!! I was drawn in right from the start, and didn't want to put it down for fear of needing to know what would happen next. This is going to be such a great series. Elara and Alexander are so hot and their chemistry is off the charts. You will be completely drawn in by them and to them. Highly recommend!!! Sophie J. Rivers has given us another great story.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 3, 2026
Hot asf! From the start it was spicy and I loved it. Elara and Alex both have their secrets and things they kept hiding. I love that it was one book and one and done thing. Did I want more? Yeah just a little bit but I appreciate the author not dragging their story on forever. For the book only being like 300 pages, the author added lots of depth to both Elara and Alex's relationships and their secrets. I didnt feel that they were lacking in connection.
August 5, 2026
Answers
Elara wants answers about her brother’s death. And the only place is at Belgrave University. Where her one night, hot as sin, dominant Alexander is her new professor. Can she find her answers while hiding from the truth? That she wants Alexander with every ounce of her being. And he wants her too. But at what cost?!
Elara wants answers about her brother’s death. And the only place is at Belgrave University. Where her one night, hot as sin, dominant Alexander is her new professor. Can she find her answers while hiding from the truth? That she wants Alexander with every ounce of her being. And he wants her too. But at what cost?!
August 20, 2026
With it every step of the way
Character growth, revenge plots, spicy loyal love. It’s hot and fast and oh so worth it.
An author who knows when to add details for depth but doesn’t waste enough space on such to loose you while pushing the story forward is always a pleasant surprise.
Character growth, revenge plots, spicy loyal love. It’s hot and fast and oh so worth it.
An author who knows when to add details for depth but doesn’t waste enough space on such to loose you while pushing the story forward is always a pleasant surprise.
August 26, 2026
OHH did I enjoy this book. I am a fan of Sophia's books, and this one was just as great as her other books. I love taboo books and this one hit the spot. I love the dark romance; the professor student relationship and the spice was steamy. Can't wait for her next book to come out.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I found this book to be very enjoyable to read. It has a wonderful storyline, and the characters are very intriguing. I did find it to take me a few chapters before I found myself totally addicted to reading it but look out because it will grab your attention.
Review of advance copy received from Author
An Intriguing, interesting, original story keeping you engrossed from start to finish. A dangerous secret society, a trapped professor within that society and a beautiful student out to get justice for her brother.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 12, 2026
Keeps you interested for the spice and the plot. BDSM spicy 🌶️🌶️🌶️ the pet names are perfect and the club? I want to go to, for research purposes also. The story is great with really good plot twists. Elara and Alexander are great together and well written characters.
Did Not Finish
August 13, 2026As I DNFed, I’ll not rate it. I was not expecting to be thrown straight into a BDSM club. I’m actually pretty familiar with that setting in person but it definitely caught me off guard and I couldn’t get past it.
August 26, 2026
Loved their story.
I’m so glad he was about to wisk her away at their first meeting. I wish they could have had their happy ending without being tied to the university but I’m glad they can be together.
I’m so glad he was about to wisk her away at their first meeting. I wish they could have had their happy ending without being tied to the university but I’m glad they can be together.
October 11, 2026
Couldn’t put it down
This book reminds me of the movie Skulls. I love the secret society theme. Great read. I love that Elara isn’t this simple female that needs a man to protect her. They are a partnership in every way.
This book reminds me of the movie Skulls. I love the secret society theme. Great read. I love that Elara isn’t this simple female that needs a man to protect her. They are a partnership in every way.
November 10, 2026
The story was a bit rushed and it felt like it left out key things about Elara’s childhood. Also what happened to Georgia? Like she just disappeared. It seems like there could be more of
An in depth story line or even a twist at the end like why did James, “not initiate…” what did that even mean?
An in depth story line or even a twist at the end like why did James, “not initiate…” what did that even mean?
Did Not Finish
August 9, 2026Dnf. Not rating since I didn’t get very far but he called her “pet” and I was out ✌️. I loathe when the mmc calls the fmc that so I know this isn’t for me.
August 28, 2026
It just….. ended. Was going to be a 4 star read.
September 2, 2026
This is a really good one!
This book was really great! All the feels and spice you need with a bit of intrigue mixed. Read this book! You don’t want to miss it!
This book was really great! All the feels and spice you need with a bit of intrigue mixed. Read this book! You don’t want to miss it!
September 6, 2026
3.5 stars
October 1, 2026
Amazing
This was an amazing quick read. I look forward to reading more!!!
I would like to hear more from Alexander and Elara's what's going to happen next
This was an amazing quick read. I look forward to reading more!!!
I would like to hear more from Alexander and Elara's what's going to happen next
August 8, 2026
First read for me by this author, and I will be recommending it!
It had great characters, exciting storyline with just enough spice and a bit of BDSM! A definite page turner!
Absolutely nothing not to like!
Will be reading more from this author.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
It had great characters, exciting storyline with just enough spice and a bit of BDSM! A definite page turner!
Absolutely nothing not to like!
Will be reading more from this author.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
Elara Cross is our MFC with long auburn hair and green eyes..a gorgeous beauty.
Professor Alexander Draven (Atticus Drexel) is our MMC. He’s tall, muscular, dark haired with storm gray that’s almost silver,
Her brother Brandon Haye has been labeled as a suicide victim. Elara is not sold on that. Now she’s been chasing leads and found one at Belgrave University in upstate New York. She heard he had been a member of a club on campus.
So she becomes a Girl Friend for hire. To make money to transfer from California to Belgrave University. On the job with everything borrowed, shoes to name.
There, on a job she meets Alexander at the bar. And it takes off from there hard and fast…everything.
Intrigue, mystery, various leads, danger, and more leads the way to answers.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Professor Alexander Draven (Atticus Drexel) is our MMC. He’s tall, muscular, dark haired with storm gray that’s almost silver,
Her brother Brandon Haye has been labeled as a suicide victim. Elara is not sold on that. Now she’s been chasing leads and found one at Belgrave University in upstate New York. She heard he had been a member of a club on campus.
So she becomes a Girl Friend for hire. To make money to transfer from California to Belgrave University. On the job with everything borrowed, shoes to name.
There, on a job she meets Alexander at the bar. And it takes off from there hard and fast…everything.
Intrigue, mystery, various leads, danger, and more leads the way to answers.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews