Teacher Lori Tait has always wanted a family, but now she's 40, she’s pretty much decided all the good men are taken. Instead, she devotes herself to her students, particularly one little girl whose struggle with math seems inconsistent with an otherwise brilliant and artistic mind.
Mark Wilder hadn’t planned to become a father, but when a fling resulted in his daughter, Grace, he whole-heartedly embraced the role. Raised in a family of boys, what does he know about women and girls? Once he learns of Grace’s inability to comprehend basic math, he welcomes the role of tutor as a way to connect with his daughter; the opportunity to spend time with her sexy teacher is an added bonus.
When Lori cracks the mystery of Grace’s problem Mark’s world is thrown into turmoil; he’s the last person who can help his daughter. He pushes everyone away, confirming Lori’s theory about men. Grace, however, has other plans. Using her new-found understanding of math, she sets out to prove to her father and teacher that, together, they add up to the perfect match.
Life is messy and I try to reflect that in my stories while still leaving readers with a feeling of hope. I want them to see themselves and people they know in my characters.
You could say writing is in my genes. My paternal grandmother was a formidable diarist; my father was a journalist and poet; my sister and cousin are both published authors; even my son has shown a talent for putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) to tell awesome stories. So, it came as no surprise to anyone when I returned to my love of fiction after more than 20 years in the world of corporate communications–although some might argue there was plenty of opportunity for fiction-writing there, too.
A fan of many genres, I find it hard to stay within the publishing industry’s prescribed boxes. Whether it’s romantic suspense, women’s fiction,or mystery—my greatest joy is creating deeply emotional books with memorable characters and compelling stories.
Lori Tait, second-grade teacher, thinks she’s over-the-hill at forty years old. Thank goodness for her students who keep her grounded. When she discovers one of her very bright students, Grace Wilder, is struggling with math, she agrees to tutor her.
Mark Wilder, divorced father and now single dad, hopes the good-looking teacher can help his child, despite the antics of his ex-wife, Jade, who’s not a fan of math. There is a mutual attract between Mark, who runs Wilder Jeep Tours, and Lori.
But Mark Wilder has complications of his own to overcome.
Can the pair overcome the problems that keep them apart? And will Lori find the solution to help Grace master math?
This is a pleasurable tale. I liked that the author introduced other characters to add dimension to the story. And the amusing dialogue between Lori and her best friend, Sharon, will keep you chuckling throughout this novella.
A cute quick read that can be read in one sitting. It's a cute book with some heat. I've read another book with what little Grace has. It's pretty cool and interesting way the mind works. Lori's biolgical clock is ticking, but no prospects tin the wings until she meets the father of one of her students. Mark and Lori get a little matchmaking help along the way. I really enjoyed the epilogue.
"Never in a million years did Lori think she'd wind up single and alone. Well, not really alone;she had a lot of very good friends and was hardly housebound. But she'd always pictured herself married with children. If only..."
This was a very sweet story about second chances and learning to love.
Lori Tait was a dedicated teacher, and loved her job, but she knew she needed more. She wanted more. She wasn't young anymore and she felt that maybe she would never get the chance to have a family.
Enter Mark Wilder and his daughter, Grace. Grace was Lori's student and she was in need of tutoring. Mark hired Lori for the job. Who's better than his daughters own teacher, right?! So what if he's attracted to her?!
"Are you upset that I didn't kiss you?" "Of course not!" "Because I wanted to, you know. But I thought better of it." "Very wise of you." "Yes, I think so, too. There's no point in starting something that we couldn't finish, right?...Now, about dinner. If you're saying "no" because I didn't kiss you before, I should tell you my plan is to kiss you at the door when I take you home afterward-I'm kind of old-fashioned like that. But I'm a firm believer in always having a Plan B. So, if kissing you is a make-it or break-it deal, I'm fully prepared to throw caution to the wind and do it now." "You're an arrogant ass." "So I've been told."
I really liked how these two were with each other. No matter their age, they were like two young lovebirds starting out on a journey and they had no idea where it would take them.
Like any relationship, it wasn't always easy, but the feelings were there...and they were real. Putting Grace first was always the first priority. What they didn't realize is that she was the key to their happily ever after.
"She was his. He wanted to claim her, every inch of her, make her his. He'd never felt this way about a woman before. It was exhilarating as it was frightening."
Such a cute story!!!
I recommend this book to anyone whose wanting a short, sweet story about finding love again...or really, finding a first real love.
Note: This ARC was provided by Tasty Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.
Me + You is a novella written by Brenda Gayle and is about a forty-year-old elementary school teacher named Lori Tait and the divorced father of one of her students, forty-two-year-old touring business owner Mark Wilder. When Lori informs Mark and his ex-wife that their daughter Grace is failing Math, she suggests that Grace work with a tutor. Grace's mother isn't too thrilled by the prospect of Grace being with someone she doesn't know, so when Grace mentions that she'd like to be tutored by Lori, Mark decides to go with it. Soon, Lori finds herself not just figuring out why Grace is having difficulty learning Math, but also trying to figure out what it is that's going on between her and Mark. The attraction is there, but at the age they're both at, Lori isn't interested in being a hook-up. Will what they have add up to love?
This was a quick read and was sweet with a small amount of heat between Mark and Lori. The story in itself was okay, although it felt like a case of insta-love or love that develops over a really short span of time even though I didn't really feel as if these two had any sort of spark in the beginning. Add to that the conflict that they encounter, and what happens is that the time they spent apart was way longer than the time they spent together as a non-couple, which made it even more difficult for me to really believe these two were in love. I did like the original take on what was going on with Grace and the fact that Mark and his ex-wife Jade were actually friendly with one another. All in all, Me + You was an okay read, but I just couldn't find it in me to believe that Mark and Lori were that deep into their feelings. This gets three stars. ♥
I have to straight up say that when I considered this book, it drew me in because of the age of the heroine. As my own age creeps up into the *cough* early 40's, I am looking more and more at mature characters. Don't get me wrong, I still don't mind those covers that have the young hard bodied men on them, but I am at an age where I can appreciate a little, let's call it wisdom, in my romances.
Lori is actually the second grade teacher of Mark's daughter Grace. Grace is having trouble with basic math, and calls Grace's parents in for a conference about it. When Mark asks Lori to tutor Grace, they start to get to know one another. Of course, misunderstandings tear them apart, but with a bit of mild Valentine shenanigans from Grace, these two will get a chance to talk and make up.
I liked the fact that even though this was a novella, it stretched the story over a period of about 6 or 7 months. I really felt that Lori and Mark got to know each other before the I Love You's were shared. Also, after finishing the book, I can appreciate the subtle details in the cover. For a novella, this was a fun read with quite a bit of depth. I gave it 4 stars for surprising me with it's complexity.
Thanks to Wild Rose Press and Tasty Book Tours for the opportunity to read and review the book.
Okay so this book is just brilliant. It catches you by the heartstrings and leads you down its path, not letting you go until way after you've finished the last wonderful page. A must read book with some pretty awesome characters. I loved it.
The Review:
Teacher Lori Tait has always wanted a family, but now she's 40, she’s pretty much decided all the good men are taken. Instead, she devotes herself to her students, particularly one little girl whose struggle with math seems inconsistent with an otherwise brilliant and artistic mind. Mark Wilder hadn’t planned to become a father, but when a fling resulted in his daughter, Grace, he whole-heartedly embraced the role. Raised in a family of boys, what does he know about women and girls? Once he learns of Grace’s inability to comprehend basic math, he welcomes the role of tutor as a way to connect with his daughter; the opportunity to spend time with her sexy teacher is an added bonus. When Lori cracks the mystery of Grace’s problem Mark’s world is thrown into turmoil; he’s the last person who can help his daughter. He pushes everyone away, confirming Lori’s theory about men. Grace, however, has other plans. Using her new-found understanding of math, she sets out to prove to her father and teacher that, together, they add up to the perfect match.
I received this ARC in exchange for a honest review. I loved the book.
Teacher Lori Tait has always wanted a family. At 40 her biologically clock is ticking with no man in sight that measures up to her standards. All the good ones are taken. So she devotes herself to her students. One little girl, Grace, in particular has a brilliant and artistic mind but is unable to comprehend math. Against her mother’s wishes Lori is asked by Grace’s dad to tutor the girl in math.
Mark Wilder’s fling resulted in his daughter, Grace. Mark did the right thing, married the mother, a free spirit, only to divorce a short time later. He loves his daughter, but being from a family of boys, has a tough time connecting with his little girl.
When Lori discovers Grace’s problem, Mark’s world is thrown into turmoil; he’s the last person who can help his daughter. He pushes everyone away, confirming Lori’s thoughts about men. Grace has other ideas and puts her plan into action to create a Valentine Surprise.
I enjoyed reading this book. It’s well written with characters that tug at your heart strings. I highly recommend Me + You and fun flirty Valentine’s Day read. 5 stars
A cute, sweet novella, packed with parenting issues and romance. I liked that the characters are in their forties, they are easy to relate to, and ponder questions that many of us have, at one time or another. Lori can hear her biological clock ticking, and is considering her option to ever be a mother. She loves to teach, she is great in it, has a great contact with the children, but she desires to have her own child, to be a mother. Mark is struggling to be a dad, or not really, he is a great dad, kind, supportive and understanding, he just feels like he doesn't measure up, that he is needed in his child's life, and is feeling miserable. I was surprised his strong emotional reactions to everything, especially him being color blind, got an extreme reaction. I found the color world fascinating, very interesting concept, that I have heard of before, but never with children. A charming little story, likable characters, interesting issues, precious kids, and dainty romance ~ Three Spoons with a teaspoon on the side
Sweet and sexy, this well written story was such fun to read! I look forward to finding more stories from this author.
Lori is an elementary school teacher with an otherwise gifted student who can't grasp math at all. When the girl's divorced parents come in for a conference, Lori is drawn to the ruggedly handsome dad and agrees to tutor the girl at his home. Sparks fly between them, but neither seems willing to step over the boundary defined by her role as the teacher, no matter how strong the attraction.
I love that the author took the plus sign in the candy heart so literally and worked math into the storyline. Rather than hokey, it all seems so sweet, like crunching through a little box of candy hearts while reading. Really enjoyed this story and these characters, and only wish it had been a full-length novel to spend more time with them as it was a really fast read. 5 candy hearts!
This story takes place in beautiful Sedona, a setting which plays a large part and lends a certain magic to the tale. At forty, school teacher Lori Tait has almost given up her dream of having children and a loving relationship. She focuses her energies on her students, including brilliant, artistic Grace, who just can’t seem to wrap her mind around the concepts of math. So what if Grace’s father, Mark Wilder, is one of the most attractive men she’s ever seen? He’s not meant for her and anyway, what could be more inappropriate? Mark’s not looking for a relationship when he attends the parent/teacher meeting at his daughter’s school. And he certainly isn’t doing a good job of keeping his foot out of his mouth where Lori Tait is concerned. But when the barriers go down and they share a night of consuming passion, he just can’t let a misunderstanding stand in the way. This is excellent, compelling writing and an enjoyable read!
This is only a short story but crams a lot into the pages. A wonderful little book that satisfies in one sitting.
Lori is an ageing teacher, no children of her own and her biological clock is ticking. She begins to take an interest in one of her 7 year old students Grace who struggles with math. It isn’t a simple problem but she manages to diagnose it with the help of a psychologist friend.
Grace’s parents are divorced, mother is slightly possessive and dad worships the ground his little girl walks on but due to colour blindness he is unable to help her with her homework. Lori takes on the tutoring role and Grace realises there could be a potential spark between dad and Lori.
A very cute, sweet story that I really enjoyed .. the writing is fantastic and draws you in .. by the end it feels as though you have experienced a full length novel. Thanks to the author and Tasty Book Tours for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest opinion.
Lori’s all but given up on finding the right one and having kids. Mark’s divorced, but has a great kid – who happens to have Lori for a teacher. Lori and Mark meet to discuss his daughter’s difficulty in math and while the search for a way to reach Grace, they make their own connection. In the wonderful setting of Sedona, Lori and Mark explore unchartered territory for both of them, but when Mark reveals a painful personal condition, it drives them apart. With the help of Grace and even Mark’s ex-wife, maybe Lori can learn how to color Mark’s world. I loved the development of Lori and Mark and really enjoyed the supporting characters. A fun and realistic love story.
When widowed 40-yr old schoolteacher, Lori Tait, calls a meeting with one of her student’s parents, she’s immediately aware of the divorced dad. Better looking than his business advertisement, Mark Wilder sends her hormones and biological clock into overdrive.
Mark and Lori work together to tutor young Grace in her only weak subject, math. Grace, however, has a gift...she sees everything in terms of colors. And, when she sees her dad and her teacher together, she’s convinced they’re perfect for each other.
Author Brenda Gayle gives us another mature couple to enjoy. Proof positive it’s never too late for love.
This was a cute short story. Grace is the glue that holds it all together. if it wasn't for that sweet girl, nothing would have happened or changed.
Mark and Jade are Grace's parents. They are no longer together, but have a good relationship and Co parent well. Lori is Grace's teacher and helps her because she is having trouble with math.
This sort of reminds me of the parent trap movies. It is different, of course. I like that Lori, not helps Grace, but also Mark. This story also shows how good teachers will do anything to help figure out how to help their students learn.
I really liked this story. It showed Lori as a great teacher worrying about her students and trying to help them succeed. It also shows two parents, Mark and Jade, who are divorced still get along for their daughter, Grace. Grace still seems to be a happy child and wants her dad to be happy.
Grace is a very smart little girl and she comes up with a plan for the Valentines party at school to get Lori and Mark back together. It works out and as they say they get their HEA.
Me & You is a heart-warming story about a child with a learning disability and the people trying to help her. I fell in love with the hero, and the child. If you love a delightful story, this is the book for you. I received a copy of this book for an honest review.
It's a short romance but very well developed, the characters are well defined and the storyline is very intriguing. Mark and Jade are Grace's parents and are separated when she was one year old. She is a very smart little girl, very gifted artistically but she is really a disaster in mathematics. Her teacher Lori Tait convenes her parents advising them to assign a tutor to help her fill her gaps. Jade considers unnecessary mathematics for an artist, Mark instead wants her daughter to have alternatives. The ideal solution is offered by Grace: she wants her teacher Lori to be her tutor. Her purpose is actually to unite her father with Lori. Will she succeed? Lori is in her forties, is very sexy and charming but has not yet found the right man for her and has lost hope of finding him. She would like to become a mother and is almost thinking to artificial insemination. Mark is really awesome and a great father but a divorced man is not covered in her standards. Mark has made a huge mistake to marry Jade but has had a beautiful baby girl as a reward. He's very attracted to Lori but doesn't know if he is ready to have a relationship again. Grace is an adorable little girl, very cute and funny. It 's really a fun read, perfect for a relaxing afternoon.