The Pupils of Love
Teacher - student romances have apparently become my best tabboo plots when reading. Giving a chance to debut novelists is also part of my one-clicking habit lately. So, after having checked the blurb for Breeze, aside from falling in love with both the simplicity and depth of its cover, and learning it was Ashley Hampton's first published book, helped me made up my mind. A finger-clicked it was.
Admittedly, I got to meet Ms. Hampton before her book. Some blogs have already mentioned her novel and given it good reviews. Therefore, it was logical for me to give it a try. Imagine my surprise when I devoured it in only two days and became as connected as much as any book lover could with the heroine and the plot.
Hannah--or Breeze, but I will let you readers discover how she came to that nickname--- is a professor at Wilmington College, whose unique teaching-learning style including music, attracted me to its plot from the very first chapters. Being a teacher myself, this romantic story became more than a book to me; it was the realisation of how romance, yes that typical woman-meets-man-and-sparks-fly-everywhere can be written in such a real scenario. I particularly believe great books not only let you escape but you can be found immersed and connected to the characters' lives, making the book message take a whole new meaning to you.
Hannah meets Igor Finley--Fin-- both in and out of the classroom. He is that perfect student who commits to his classes, his homework and his appearance. Appearance? Well, yes, if he is determined to take his relationship with Hannah to a new level besides actively engaging in her class. Did I mention he is a wonderful father to both his children? That is right, the kind of relationship he is learning to have with them because he has his own luggage: he suffers from PTSD, and he is assiting to college to be able to get his major as well as learn how to cope with life out of the military.
Breeze is the first book in the Southern Rock Series; some of Breeze's friends will eventually have their own book, and Ms Hampton has said she will be gifting us with a novella of Hannah and Fin after the ending of Breeze.
Learning about Hannah's personality and the reasons why she is always on the run, plus Fin's journey to recovering from what he lived and his devotion and fight for his children are told in dual POVs. The experience is relevant to the story in order to understand the charachers' decisions, fears and new illusions. Breeze's second and third characters will help these two love birds achieve their personal and professional goals.
Dear reviewers, apologies if my words and rate are a lot biased, but when magic hits reality, heroines and heroes stay close to your heart, even leaving you wondering if real-life HEAs exist.
All in all, Fin's words to his baby boy speak louder than any rate: "Owen, I'm the luckiest man in the world. I came back from the war beaten and broken. I have you and Avery to make me smile every day. And that woman in my bed. Little man, I hope you're lucky enough to have a goddess like her one day. She is more than my wildest dreams coming true. But it's time for her to leave us so we will have to be strong and let her go. She deserves this, buddy." Curious enough?