School Ties

by Tamsen Parker

Erin Brewster is nervous enough on her first day of teaching at Hawthorn Hill. But the way Zach Shepherd looks at her with his dark and dreamy blue eyes really throws her off her game. He simply has to walk past her to send her heart racing. Although he’s eighteen and a senior, he’s still just a student—and very off limits. To let her eyes linger over his body, to fulfill her fantasies would be more than inappropriate. It would be career suicide.

Three years after his graduation from Hawthorn, Shep has returned as a member of the faculty—and he hasn’t forgotten his favorite teacher, the prettiest woman he’s ever seen. When they finally have a chance to get to know each other, they realize they share a common kink. In fact, Shep has learned a lot about the subject during his time away and is ready to teach Erin a thing or two. He’ll soon have her begging to be held after class.

As their relationship comes under scrutiny, the ties that bind Shep and Erin may begin to fray. But some bonds grow stronger under pressure...

Genres: Romance, BDSM, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, High School, Erotica, Forbidden Love

231 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 20, 2016

About the author

Tamsen Parker is a stay-at-home mom by day, erotic romance writer by naptime. She lives with her family outside of Boston, where she tweets too much, sleeps too little and is always in the middle of a book. Aside from good food, sweet rieslings and gin cocktails, she has a fondness for monograms and subway maps. She should really start drinking coffee.

You can sign up for her newsletter here to find out about her latest release, sales, or other goings on: http://bit.ly/1Bry07O

Reviews

[Lana ❇✾DG Romance❇✾]

DNF

Le sigh.
Simply not my cuppa. What can ya do? Give it a shot and judge for yourself ;)

[warhawke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Type: Standalone
POV: First Person - Dual
Rating:




Erin Brewster was a newly graduated math teacher at the all boys Hawthorn Hill boarding school. Even though newly appointed, she was school royalty having grew up on school compound with a grandfather who was a much loved teacher there. But her excitement in being a teacher was in dilemma when a student caught her attention.

Zachary (Shep) Shepherd was a popular, good looking senior. Even though he had feelings for Erin, he suppress it down for the greater good. Growing up in a bad household, he worked hard to secure his future and it paid off when he was accepted as a teacher at Hawthorn Hill upon graduating universiti. Now, he had no reason to hold back accept one thing that could possibly repulse her.

"I liked what I did at the club. It turned me on in a way nothing else has and I don’t want to live without it.”

Shep was a quiet good guy. I love how protective he was of her. I also love his devotion to his brother. However, I wanted to know more about his kinky background. It was barely touched thus making him unconvincing as a Dom for me especially that he wasn't very commanding.

She’s not perfect, perfect. No one is. But she might be perfect for me.

Erin was much loved by both staff and student. She was highly dedicated to her work and the people she cared about. She had a certain level of innocence that could be both endearing and frustrating. There were things she did earlier in the book that made me want to grab a ruler and spank her real hard haha!



I feel like their relationship needed more boost. There was not enough longing when they were apart and not enough passion when they were together. Good thing is the sex was good even though it's light on dirty and I especially like the one in the epilogue :p

I’ve told her we can’t be together, warned her off me, and it killed me to do it.

What I like about a student-teacher story is the taboo element. This book doesn't play that trope though because it was more of teachers romance. But it was made up by the relationship secrecy. The BDSM element was also very light, so it's a nice, safe read for those not into such story.

School Ties is a story of a couple taking chance on their relationship and exploring their desires. It would appeal to people who prefer a light, drama free romance.




For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:

[Elle ✟ Søren's ♡ (i'm too old for this shite) · Rating 2 out of 5]

2* no ties at all STARS!

Gonna keep this short and simple. Not gonna sugarcoat what I didn't like. I like Tamsen Parker. Her writing was fabulous with a bit BDSM touch for beginner. Nothing hardcore. Let's just say this book was a disappointment for me.



What I liked?
+ Basically none. Because half of the books really bored me to death. I rolled my eyes towards heaven for more strength to finish it. What a shame because the theme already mainstream but I wanna see how the author executed into something different. I do enjoy student-teacher relationship because it is taboo and controversial.

+ Zachary Shepherd as the main hero. He was the student and has a crush on his teacher. He's good and honest man. Polite as well. Just a basic good man.



What I didn't like?
- So much. First, Erin Brewster was the biggest problem for me. I didn't like her. Plain and stupid. She's the adult and a teacher who couldn't make her own decision. Too weak and short-thinker? But in Zach's eyes, Erin is the sweetest and loving woman. Gosh.

- The story was so wrong from the first. Let's just say she's stupid who couldn't say no to a man she barely know and ended up with him. Got a picture? And our hero was brooding all the time.

- I couldn't feel chemistry between Zach and Erin at all. Even after some time skip they're working together and start a relationship. Zach was still in lalaland with Erin. Everything was so tame and romantic. Such a lovey-dovey couple. *groans*

- The BDSM came out of nowhere. FYI, both are really vanilla with no kink tendency. But after some time, Zach start to like his rule as a caring Dominant which I'm not interested. Their BDSM scenes was okay but the sex was awful. NOT hot at all.

The conclusion:
Almos DNF. It was painfully slow paced. I hated it but not enough to despise it because I enjoyed the author's other works. Not this one. I have high hope for the story but apparently, it didn't work for me.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review




School Ties is the first book that I have read by Tamsen Parker. I was first drawn to this book due to the title alone and the premise of the storyline. Who wouldn’t want to read a forbidden romance brewing student and teacher?

Erin Brewster is fresh out of college and teaching at Hawthrone Hill, an elite all-boys boarding preparatory school. Erin knew that she always wanted to be a teacher at this specific school due to her family association with this school. As the new math teacher, Erin is dedicated in teaching her students but there is one student that has caught her eye.

Zach “Shep” Shepherd is a senior and is ready to get high school over with. As the months progress, Zach soon becomes Erin’s favorite student but this student/teacher duo never crossed any lines to blur their relationship. Fast forward to several years later, Zach is now a teacher at his former alma mater and his favorite teacher, Erin is also still there.

The attraction and sexual chemistry that was there years before is still there but this time, Zach is no longer the innocent student but instead he has now acquired a few sexual taste and proclivities. His sexual appetite now wants to claim his beloved Calculus teacher, Erin. So will the former student be the one teaching his teacher a new lesson plan of sexual fantasy and control?

School Ties was one of those slow burn story that was layered with eroticism and a forbidden aspect. While I enjoyed reading the chemistry dynamic of Erin and Zach, I wish the author was able to pull me emotionally into the story line. My only dislike of this book was the way Erin was written. She came off to be to be a little whinny for my taste and so I was glad that Zach was able to off balance her character when he took charge. Overall, this book was an enjoyable forbidden romance that incorporated angst, drama, and BDSM.




Tamsen Parker

[Jaime Arkin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh… that’s all I can think of when I see this title now. This one didn’t work all that well for me. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t hate it, but I just didn’t love it.

Erin Brewster is teaching at Hawthorne Hill, an all boys school. She grew up at this school spending summers and breaks with her grandfather, so she always knew she wanted to come back someday. But she never knew one of the hardest things would be fighting an attraction to a blue eyed, broody eighteen year old. But she does… instead pursuing a relationship with another faculty member… one who had me questioning his intentions from the very beginning.

Zach Shepherd won’t deny that he’s attracted to his teacher, but he knows it’s inappropriate and he won’t do anything to get her in trouble. But when he graduates from college and has the opportunity to come back to Hawthorne Hill, all he can think about is if Erin is still there and what has happened to her over the last few years and would she be open to the kind of relationship that he likes?

Okay… It says right there in the summary that kink is their thing and that they bond over their shared desires. I thought this part of the story was so blah that I wish it hadn’t even been a part of it. First of all, Zach is introduced to the bdsm lifestyle while in college and working at a club… he participates in scenes but that’s all. Yes. He’s a virgin. Now normally I’m game for an innocent guy who is just learning the ropes (hahaha) but this just didn’t work at all for me, and honestly, I thought the relationship between Shep and Erin was so incredibly tepid that I never really bought this crazy attraction they were supposed to have for each other.

Erin’s supposed to be a smart girl… and I say supposed to be because honestly her relationship and resulting marriage was the most ridiculous thing ever. First of all, the fact that she married this guy simply because she got pregnant. No. Second of all, she stayed with him even though she lost that baby. No. I mean the guy was fucking his other lady the day that she had to be rushed to the hospital. I mean seriously. It took her three years to get this asshole out of her life… and then he just completely disappears. You never hear another thing about him… which is nice if a bit unusual for romance books.

What did I like? Well, I liked that we get to see Shep & Erin form a relationship instead of just jumping into bed with each other. Though, admittedly, I think that the author waited way too long to have these two finally do it.

As you can probably tell, this just wasn’t my favorite, and it’s hard when you read a book you really loved right before picking one like this up.

If you’re looking for a slow burn kind of romance with hints HINTS of bdsm then maybe give this one a try!

Thank you to the publisher for an early copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

[Maria Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

School Ties takes a teacher/student trope and adds some interesting (and kinky!) twists in this new story by Tamsen Parker. I’ve read and enjoyed her Compass series stories, which are definitely heavier on the BDSM side than this one. They also feature older and more experienced characters than here, where we have a new teacher, Erin Brewster, who is 22, meeting her boarding school students, and in particular, one Zach Shepherd, age 18. Erin’s family legacy is at Hawthorn Hill, where her uncle now works and she spent summers with her grandfather. Teaching there has been her dream and she’s not going to do anything to muck it up, especially not get involved with one of her students. She’s quick to cut off any inappropriate thoughts even though she can’t deny that if he were just a bit older, Zach would be in her sights. The same can’t be said for Zach though. His crush on Erin manifests itself in his art (some of it for public consumption, some of it not). They build a slow friendship amidst other relationships, one that is put on hold when Zach graduates. Three years later, he’s back, and a fellow teacher. Their one-time friendship can become something more if they let it. But Zach’s also learned something about himself and his sexual preferences in their time apart and is no longer the innocent young man he once was. Can he trust Erin with the truth of his dominant nature? And will she be willing to take a leap of faith with him?

I had some mixed feelings about this story. On the plus side, I liked the Zach that we are first introduced to as a student. He’s a caring and considerate fellow, a little quiet which goes well with his artistic nature, and quite sweet really. Unlike the other boys at the school he is there on a scholarship and comes from a disadvantaged family, so he’s had to work harder than his peers to be there. He knows his crush on Erin can’t be returned, but it doesn’t stop him from paying attention to her, and being aware of her when she’s around. The ‘forbidden’ aspect of their story is muted by the fact that there really isn’t a big age difference between them (and he is already 18) but still makes for a tense time in the first several chapters (which I’ll admit, went on longer than I expected) where you wonder if they will or won’t do something and get caught at it. Erin makes some decisions in the first part of the story that impact her life and Zach’s as a result. I can’t say I agree with the decisions she makes (and I don’t want to give away spoilers) but I think it’s important to remember her young age, and how much her place at the school means to her as it affects her choices.

When Zach graduates and goes off to college, we have a brief interlude where we find out that while he was getting his advanced degrees, he had a part-time job at a fetish club which is where he learned about his dominant nature. I wish we’d seen more of this time in his life, but it’s brief and next thing you know, he’s come back to Hawthorn Hill, this time for a teaching position. The truth is that he’s never forgotten Erin and is hoping that she’ll still be there. But he gets cold feet upon their first meeting as full members of the faculty when he realizes that she might be turned off by his sexual proclivities. So he goes from being the kind, sweet young man we first met to a cold and standoffish one, much to Erin’s confusion. Eventually, though, they get the chance to have some alone time together where Zach reveals his secrets and discovers that Erin would be interested in exploring a sexual relationship with him. The kink is fairly standard as far as BDSM goes, nothing too outlandish, but definitely makes for some steamy scenes between them. The friendship they had established before is gone but in its place blossoms a new and better relationship that leads to a happy ending for them both. If you like forbidden relationship stories that aren’t too edgy, and some kink with your romance, you’ll enjoy this one. 3.5 stars.

Note: a copy of this story was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for review.

This review appears as a blog post at Straight Shootin' Book Reviews: https://straightshootinbookreviews.co...

[Jessica Hull · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 STARS

I honestly don't even know what I feel or think of this book. I started reading it because of the teacher student romance (I'm a sucker for that storyline!) But a lot happens in this story, so much so that the teacher student element is almost non-existent. Yes, an attraction between Erin, the teacher, and Shep, her student, exists. But the story jumps time quickly and before the halfway mark, Erin and Shep are no longer teacher and student, but years have passed and now they're colleagues.

There's a lot happening in this story, as I said, and I'm not sure how much of it I actually enjoyed. The storyline surrounding Will irked me to no end because I never bought into any real chemistry or emotion between Erin and Will... so to me, it was just filler drama.. And as much as I like a steamy, sexy story, the sex club, BDSM aspect in the story didn't really jive with the way Shep had been characterized previously. It felt contrived and random. I just didn't get it.

With all that said, I couldn't stop reading. The entire time I read, I kept thinking that this storyline had gone way over the top right out of the gate, that there was so much thrown up against the wall to see what would stick, that it was just a wild mess of a storyline. Truth be told, I wasn't sure if I'd even finish it. But every time I considered shelving it, something kept me glued. I just couldn't stop. So there's certainly something to be said about the author's writing and storytelling because I just couldn't look away. I'm a reader that truly prefers a believable, authentic, realistic storyline and School Ties is none of those things. Honestly, the characters, their personalities, the relationships between most of them, their dialogue, the storyline itself, all of it was just so over the top, often inconsistent, mostly too crazy to be believed. And yet, I never stopped reading.

At the end of the day, the story was entertaining, but not very memorable. There were good things and not so good things, but in the end, it was just way too OTT for me.

[Briar's Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just when you think Tamsen Parker has reached her peak, she introduces a new forbidden fruit that left me breathless.

Title: School Ties
Author: Tamsen Parker
Date Read: August 21st-September 6th, 2016
Date Reviewed: September 11th, 2016
Spoilers Ahead?: Yes!

Introduction: I love Tamsen Parker (and that's no secret) and every time she writes another book I am grasping desperately to try to get a hold of it. So when I was able to get my hands on School Ties (since Tamsen is totally amazing!!) I almost fangirled myself to death. And then I read the book, and I was silently begging Tamsen to stop (and by stop, I mean stop giving me a heart attack with her super sexy stories!). She stepped her game up with this novel! A pinch of BDSM and sexy time, a few splashes of ex drama, a handful of strong characters and then she added dump truck of forbidden romance.


Quick Summary: Erin Brewster begins to teach at a boys boarding school - Hawthorn Hill. She notices a certain student, Zach Shepard, and instantly sparks flash. Their eyes linger over the school year, and feelings flutter. Flash forward three years after Zach's grad, and here is he back to tempt Erin. They haven't forgotten each other, and soon enough they'll be begging for each other's company...

Evaluations: I had no words when I first finished this novel. I had to wait a few days to even write this because my brain couldn't wrap around how Tamsen stepped her game up. Not only did she include her typical, hot, sexy BDSM time, but she added a flicker of forbidden romance as well? Tamsen is doing what most writers don't - she's growing!! And that makes my inner fangirl super happy and desperate to get her writing more! Or at least get her books more recognition!!

The book was told in both Erin and Zach's point of view. This gave an added umph to the story since we got to see both of their thoughts and not just one. It opened up the readers to the thoughts of the characters, and we understood what was going on inside of their head. I typically don't like multiple POVs in past books, but in this story it fit perfectly!

I also enjoyed the realistic aspects of the story - Erin starts a new job and actually feels self conscious! I can't list enough books where the characters are glowing and perfect the first day on the job. Every time I've done something new (new job, new school, etc) I am definitely not glowing with self confidence! Tamsen does a beautiful job showing this, and this makes Erin so much more relatable!

The angst, drama and love in this story is just overall fantastic. Tamsen opens up more and explores! While there isn't as much crazy BDSM/sexy time like some of her past books, it's still great! Erin deals with drama before she meets Shep and that makes her grow as a character, so when the story finally progresses and we see more of adult Shep, we understand the struggles our main woman has dealt with.

Overall, I loved it! It's a step up in the plot and character building department!

Plot: Tamsen's plot building skills have definitely improved. While I love all of her old books (and their plots are uber sexy) there seemed to be more plot than sexy time in this novel! While I do love some great sex scenes, I love a wicked plot as well!

Erin Brewster's troubles before Shep are a bit drawn out and I wanted more Zach in those scenes, but it gave a beautiful insight into the character. We saw her struggles and into her mind. I liked understanding her instead of just sex scene after sex scene. To me, it made her more relatable than Tamsen's past characters. I felt for Erin and I understood how she saw the world.

When we got to Zach's scenes, I felt like it was a little to late. I kept yearning and yearning for Zach and Erin to have some kind of fling or flirty scene before he left, but it didn't happen. Yet Tamsen didn't disappoint! When Zach was brought back, the sex scenes were super sexy and hot. The long, drawn out wait made those scenes even better.

When Zach explains his life in a sex club (and how he's a virgin? That was a strange twist) I wanted to read more about it. I wanted to see maybe a flash back chapter or an insight into that part of his memory. His explanations were so interesting, and I felt like his back story could have been a novel all on it's own!! If anything, his back story felt out of place without the chapters to back it up, but Tamsen still made it work! I would love for Tamsen to make an ebook or side story explaining that, similar to how she made more books in India's series to see other aspects of that world.


Characters:
Erin Brewster - She's a realistic and relatable character, which is great for a sexy, BDSM book. She gets nervous and has second thoughts and deals with real issues. I loved that! She wasn't just some sex toy in the book for the man. The woman tries her best when dealing with her issues in the first half of the book. While I've seen other reviewers put down this aspect of the story, I felt like it fit her character. She married a man to keep her job, because she's young and wants her job. I know many people who are in new jobs and let themselves get pushed around because they need their job. She then stays with the man she marries so she can keep the job. While in real life I would have kicked that guy to the curb, she's young and she's really trying.

Zach Shepard - Zach was an interesting character, and for a romance and BDSM book it was odd to read his POV, but that also made this book stand above the others. I didn't expect to see his side of the story, but we did! As stated earlier I would have loved some more chapters relating to his back story. Him being a changed man was interesting, and makes sense since he went away to another school, but I would have liked to see more of it. He was definitely a hot character, and I could place his personality on a few guys I know, so relatable-ness was met on this character! Seeing Erin and Zach both work through forming a relationship was also nice, so I thoroughly enjoyed his character development.

Themes/Creativity: I wouldn't say there were any distinct themes in this novel (it's a romance, BDSM type book) but there was creativity for days in this book! Seeing Erin's issues before she meets Zach is definitely creative compared to other books. I've read many romance novels where the main character complains about her past issues, but I've never seen the book actually display them. I also really enjoyed seeing both Zach and Erin's POV in this novel. I liked seeing Tamsen step up her game with adding forbidden romance with BDSM in this novel and I would love to see her experiment more with these different topics in future books!

Uniqueness: I'll combine the uniqueness with creativity together. Most of the unique aspects of this novel were also the most creative aspects.

Strengths: Character growth, the plot, the realism of the situations in the story - these are all wonderful strengths in my eyes. I enjoyed Tamsen's growth in writing, and I can't wait to see more!
Weaknesses: The lack of Shep's background story felt like the biggest weakness. I would have liked to read more on that! It wouldn't have added anything crazy to the novel and it wasn't a necessity, but I would still like to read it!

Score: 5 out of 5. Despite the little issues here and there, I loved the book. I didn't really see any weaknesses while reading the book, it was only after when I thought about it and compared it to other novels that are somewhat similar that I started coming up with "problems". Tamsen did a fantastic job, and I'll be reading this book over and over again! Tamsen stepped her game up and did a wonderful job with this book! It's an addicting read that I read in one sitting, and I couldn't put it down. It's rare for me to literally sit down and finish a book all in one sitting, I can name only two other books I've done that with - Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell and Hamlet by Shakespeare. That definitely puts Tamsen high in my books, when I literally restart the book on one day and finish it in that same sitting.

[Eleanor · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know how when you read a book there’s this anticipation for drama, laughs, sadness and frustrating parts, unfulfilled sexual tension, a situation that just cannot be, but above all the greatest romance?

OMG this book. This book. It’s everything you want in a book.

Erin Brewster grew up vagabond with her father, traipsing all over the world and longing for a place of her own. A place just like Hawthorn Hill Academy – the place her grandfather taught years before. So when she finally lands a job there as a math teacher, she’s thrilled, nervous and will do everything she can to fit in.

Erin loves her boys, the kids in school, of course (the girl is in her 20s!!), and there’s one that peaks her curiosity more than the rest, Zach Shepherd. He’s serious, not from a well off family, yet very well liked by his peers. We’ll get back to Shep.

Trying to find her place, Erin is accepting advances from the English teacher at the school and finds herself knocked up, is forced to get married and basically living a ‘meh’ life with her new husband. All while longing for Zach, who’s looking at her like he wants to eat her up.

Up until now, things are mostly frustrating and what I felt most was pissed off. That’s good, right? It can only get better from here, right?

Wrong.

Zach, Shep, returns to the school as a math teacher right alongside Erin. He’s been through a LOT in the past 3 years, and everything he had learned in that time and has to offer, Erin craves. That’s something we know, though, not Shep. He’s mostly avoiding Erin, inadvertently hurting her, when all she wants is his closeness.

But you know how it is, right? Every excuse in the book to not give a chance, doing what’s best for the other, being miserable and making the other person miserable as well.

But when things finally happen, they’re incredible!

The first 50% of the story is a wonderful mix of drama, angst, toe curling UST and the most beautiful barely there flirtation. The next 50% is where the magic that happened in the first 50% evolves into the culmination of everything. Really. Everything.

I couldn’t put the book down, and that’s after not really expecting it to be half as good as it is. I mean, I knew it would be written very well, and the story good. I just didn’t expect it to blow my mind. So there…

Mind. Blown.

The balance, the progression, the beautiful, beautiful words and the epic love story, because above everything else (the kink, the angst, the flirtations and whatnot) it is a love story between two young people who are so – freaking – adorable!

I want to read this book again for the first time. That’s how much I loved it.

[1-Click Addict Support Group · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of student/teacher forbidden romances, so I was excited to try this new-to-me author. It had the added aspect of kink thrown in, so I was even more excited.

“I want to stop and hug her, hold her close until she’s not lonely anymore. But I can’t. I can’t.”

Zach Shepherd is a senior at Hawthorne Hill, a private All Boys school. After a crappy childhood, he is focused on school, sports, and helping his younger brother. He didn’t expect to be hot for his teacher.

Eric Brewster is a new math teacher at the Hill, but the Hill has been her home for as long as she can remember. She can’t do anything to ruin her home, especially fall for a student.

“His dark blue eyes have swept up to my face. I wish we could say the words we really want to say.”

A few years later and Zach returns to campus, this time as a teacher as well. Will Erin and Zach finally have a chance? It certainly takes a lot of hot, sexual exploration and some crazy ups and downs…

I enjoyed this story. I especially adored Zach and his brother, Caleb. However, at times, I felt like there was just a bit too much going on. I don’t want to give any spoilers, but there were so many different themes occurring that, at times, it just got muddled for me. I wish that there was more focus on one or two topics.

That being said, I did like the story. If you are looking for a unique take on the student/teacher romance, then this is definitely one to add to your TBR. ~ Tiffany, 3 stars

[Three Chicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review by Lisa Kane
Very good read. Erin starts her first job teaching at a high school boarding school for boys. She's nervous but loves her job. Although she finds herself drawn to Zach, a smart, gorgeous student. He just may share her feelings too. In the meantime, she has a one night stand with a fellow teacher (who's a real douche bag!) and that leads her life down a path she never imagined. Zach knows nothing can come of his feelings and once he graduates, he takes off for Northwestern and the fast track to getting his teaching degree.

Three years later Zach has graduated, Erin is available and he is about to start teaching at his old school. But he is far from the innocent boy he was when he attended school there. He earned money on the side at a BDSM club and he needs that control. What he doesn't know is that Erin has been craving the same thing.

[Tori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Originally posted at Smexybooks-http://smexybooks.com/2016/09/review-...

Favorite Quote: “She needs me and I…I need to be needed.”

Erin Brewster has worked hard to come home to Hawthorne Hill to teach. Having spent her summers at “the Hill” with her grandfather, who was the headmaster, Erin got the security she didn’t with her gypsy like father. On her first day of teaching, she meets student Zachary Sheppard. An 18 year old senior with soul searching blue eyes and an inner strength that affects Erin on every level. But he’s her student and he must stay that way. Anything else would be highly inappropriate and career suicide.

Zachary is at Hawthorne Hall on a scholarship. His only goal is to graduate, go to college, and help get his little brother away from their dysfunctional home life. When he meets his new Calculus teacher, he is blown away by her beauty and the intense need he feels to take care of her. But she is his teacher and no matter how he feels, nothing can come of this. But that doesn’t stop him from looking…and fantasizing.

Three years pass and Zachary is back at Hawthorne Hill, having graduated college early and is now a teacher. He and Erin are free to pursue and act on the feelings that they were denied when he was the student and she was the teacher. But Zach has changed. He discovered a penchant for domination while away and now he wants to introduce Erin to his lifestyle. The student has become the teacher.

As Zach and Erin explore their passions for one another, the scrutiny over their relationship begins to pick apart their fragile bond. But sometimes the more you struggle, the stronger are the ties that bind.

I thoroughly enjoy Tamsen Parker’s erotic romances. Smartly written with well defined story lines, delicious romances, and dynamic characterization. Parker goes beyond the more popular definitions romance, pushing many boundaries as she divulges deep into its heart. I adore how Parker addresses the different needs that people have. Pounding it into readers heads that just because our wants and desires aren’t considered mainstream, there is no shame in them. She touches on subject matter and situations in a way that even in your most uncomfortable moments, you don’t feel as though she is attempting to manipulate or shock you.

School Ties, while built on taboo subject matter, isn’t really taboo at all. It’s a loosely defined relationship that plays on the forbidden feelings between a teacher and student. Nothing is acted upon physically until said student graduates, goes to college, and returns as a fellow employee. Told from dual points of view, Parker sets the scene and introduces us to the main players-Erin Brewster and Zachary Sheppard. She smoothly reveals their respective backgrounds against the present day in order to give us a deeper understanding of situations that are to come

Part one of the book take place during Erins first year of teaching and Zach’s senior year. It showcases Erin and Zach’s developing friendship amongst their growing attraction to one another. Parker does an excellent job of revealing the sexual tension and complicated dynamics involved while showing Erin’s emotional state as she catalogs her internal thoughts of disgust, shame, and fear. Erin in her longing for love and security chooses to pursue a relationship with another teacher to help offset her feelings for Zach, which only further destroys the already fragile state she resides in.

Zach has more trouble separating his emotions from the equation. He grows to care for her beyond the physical attraction and finds himself constantly crossing lines in order to “save her.” Lines Erin has to keep push him back from. I found Zach’s compassion and maturity very strong in someone so young. This is perhaps in direct relation to his dysfunctional home life and the fact that he has been dealing with adult situations from apparently a young age. Erin’s dating hurts Zach and forces him to realize that nothing can or will happen until he is older.

The second half of the book finds Zach back at Hawthorne Hall but as a math teacitiher instead of a student. We learn of Zach’s adventures in college and his introduction to BDSM. Erin’s time hasn’t been pleasant and she suffers a series of loses. Zach’s need to protect and care has increased ten fold, causing him to push Erin away for fear she will be repulsed by his dark desires. Zach and Erin slowly begin to re-establish their friendship, taking the time to get to know each other as equals. Parker stokes their chemistry, introducing the BDSM and allowing it to progress from there.

At this point I began to have issues with the story and the characters. The flow isn’t as smooth and some subplots litter the storyline with few having a legitimate reason to be included. Most are resolved off scene with the antagonist or conflict simply exiting the storyline.

Erin herself seems to regress. In part one she seemed stronger. Here in part two she is more emotionally unstable; sensitive to perceived slights and needier overall. Her fragility is more pronounced and Parker impresses that upon us with small reveals about her juvenile choices in food and dishes. And a habit of sucking her thumb.

Zach comes back to Hawthorne Hall darker and more mysterious. His personality change seems more in tune with someone who has suffered a great loss or had a bad experience. I was uncomfortable with how easily Zach takes to the role of not only her boyfriend and sexual dominant, but also her caretaker. He adapts the role of pseudo father figure and I couldn’t help but feel by the end that one wrong word or move on his part and she’d shatter into a million pieces. It was readily apparent that while Zach is physically younger, emotionally he is the adult in this relationship. I really wish at some point, someone would pushed Erin into therapy.

While I wasn’t bowled over by this story and definitely don’t feel it’s one of Parker’s best work to date, it‘s an easy, fast read with its heated BDSM power plays, lack of true drama, and almost fairy tale like romance.

Grade: C-

[Krissys Bookshelf Reviews · Rating 2 out of 5]

Erin Brewster is nervous enough on her first day of teaching at Hawthorn Hill. But the way Zach Shepherd looks at her with his dark and dreamy blue eyes really throws her off her game. He simply has to walk past her to send her heart racing. Although he's eighteen and a senior, he's still just a student—and very off limits. To let her eyes linger over his body, to fulfill her fantasies would be more than inappropriate. It would be career suicide.

Three years after his graduation from Hawthorn, Shep has returned as a member of the faculty—and he hasn't forgotten his favorite teacher, the prettiest woman he's ever seen. When they finally have a chance to get to know each other, they realize they share a common interest: kink. In fact, Shep has learned a lot about the subject during his time away and is ready to teach Erin a thing or two. He'll soon have her begging to be held after class.

As their relationship comes under scrutiny, the ties that bind Shep and Erin may begin to fray. But some bonds grow stronger under pressure.






I had a hard time getting into this story it starts out okay with teacher being hot for student and stuck in fantasy land while she teaches but we jump into the future when Shep returns to claim his dream woman - his highschool teacher.

There is a lot about Shep and Erin's budding relationship where you can feel the tension between them but it was hard for me to appreciate the good character Shep started out as and the not so nice one he became and Erin's more sensible character turned into a more childlike one.

I didn't understand where the personality flips came from. Or why it would be so extreme. The "BDSM" interest didn't fit in this story at all, I felt it would have been better to have been kept as a normal romantic relationship but I didn't get that vibe at all.

I didn't care for their love end of the relationship because it didn't feel honest. I would have believed it more if it had been a strictly sexual based one which is how it felt. Sex equals love is the misinterpretation that is made between Shep and and Erin and it didn't mesh with how I felt about either of them or the foundation they built their interactions on.

School Ties wasn't bad by any means but it just didn't feel honest and that sacrificed a lot in ratings for me.
















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Krissy's Bookshelf Reviews received a digital copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.




Krissy's Bookshelf Reviews received a digital copy in exchange for an honest review from Berkley/Penguin Publishing




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[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

My review cross-posted from Wit and Sin: http://witandsin.blogspot.com/2016/11...

School Ties is a story I went back and forth on multiple times, making it a bit difficult to review. My indecisiveness on rating this book comes down to the fact that it’s a story broken into two distinct parts, one which I adored and one that my emotional reaction to was “meh.”

The first part of School Ties is simply fantastic. Tamsen Parker weaves an emotional journey, complete with forbidden longing, interesting characters, and a well-developed foundation for a future romance. Erin is a teacher fresh out of college when she starts working at Hawthorn Hill. She’s bright, enthusiastic, and just young enough emotionally that she’s taken advantage of and forced to face true heartbreak. As for Shep, he may only be eighteen years old and her student, but it’s been a hard eighteen years that has made him mature beyond his age. He’s smart, studious, a complete sweetheart, and protective to the core, making him easy to adore. He and Erin aren’t too far apart on the maturity spectrum when the story begins, but there are definitely still boundaries that shouldn’t be crossed and keep their relationship from ever going beyond the platonic.

It’s important for me to stop and note that everything is above-board when Erin and Shep are student and teacher. Though each of them suffers emotional angst, no lines are crossed. What we get is a gripping, tension-filled story that plays out over the course of their day-to-day lives. It’s a story of two people falling in love in a situation where they cannot and should not ever have a fully-realized relationship. I loved watching this journey and my heart broke for Shep and Erin more than once. In the first part of the story they are rich, dynamic characters and I was rooting for them to get the happily ever after they so deserved in the second part of the tale.

It’s in the second half of the story – where Shep returns to Hawthorn Hill, this time as a teacher – that things fell apart for me. Erin went from a heroine with personality to a rather limp noodle heroine who cried a lot. Shep, in turn, went from an interesting young man to a rather unmemorable Dom, and both of them felt a lot less mature than they did in the first half of the story. The mild BDSM elements felt forced and there was a blandness to their overall romance that left me disappointed. Don’t get me wrong, the second part of the book isn’t bad; I just wanted more emotion, character growth, and passion that felt organic to the tale. But after such a great build up in the first part of the story, a rather lackluster second half left me more disappointed than if I’d been indifferent to the characters all along. School Ties may not have been all that I hoped for in the end, but I enjoyed the first half of the story so much that I’ll definitely be reading more of Ms. Parker’s work.


FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

[Alisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

Erin is a young school teacher who begins her career at the all boy's boarding school her grandfather taught at. One of the subjects she teaches is a Senior math class. Despite her best intentions Erin soon finds herself attracted to one of her students.

Zach Shepard may be 18 years old and a student but he's never really had the chance to be a child. He comes from a low income family where his father was regularly abusive. He's at school on a scholarship and he works hard at his studies, sports and his art and he's completely enamored with his new math teacher.

They have not only their attraction to each other as an issue but they both have other serious issues going on in their lives and those things have a major effect on what happens next. This part could also be called "How Erin screws her life up with really bad decision making". This section ends with Zach going away to college and getting a job at a bdsm club.

I really enjoyed the first half of the story. The tension between the two was fantastic and Erin just skated the line of inappropriate behavior. This was well on it's way to be a great book for me. The book then jumps forward 3 years in the future when Zach has come back as a teacher himself. This part was full of things that made no sense to me. I couldn't understand any of the decisions that either of them made. More importantly the chemistry between them that was so good in the beginning was totally gone. I had been anxiously awaiting them getting together and when they did it was boring and meh. Erin was Super annoying and Zach was a personality I had a hard time getting a feel for. The "kink" part also made no sense to me. I understand that there's as many ways to do kink as there are relationships but this was wonky and I couldn't understand what they were doing or why. Zach in general made no sense to me. It's hard to explain without spoilers but I'll leave it at this didn't work for me. At. All. I ended up skipping the sex scenes cuz they were so boring.

Overall an average read. While this was not as good as I was hoping I liked the first half enough to try more work by this author.

[Simply Love Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rosalie's review posted at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews

Erin Brewster returns to the only normal part of her life she has ever known, at Hawthorn Hills. With a dad that liked to travel, and never settle down, staying with her grandfather at the Boys' Academy was the only sense of normalcy she had ever felt in life. It only made sense that she got her degree, returned to this "home", and plant roots to begin her adult life. What she didn't anticipate was finding one of her Senior students so damn attractive....

Zach Shepherd, Shep, is intrigued with his Senior English teacher from day 1. Knowing there was nothing that could ever happen between them, because he was her student!, only made him more intrigued. Watching her go through turmoil, almost immediately into the school year, only made the want for her even more. After graduation, finding what he really wanted to be, ended up with Shep returning to Hawthorn Hills to teach. Could there, now after all these years and the sexy as hell life that Shep has now began to live, be anything that can come between the two?

Oh my all that is sexy in this one book. I loved everything about it. The BDSM aspects were very well described and easily pictured. The turmoil between the two characters, throughout every scenario in the whole book, was felt.

Review copy provided for an honest review.

[DemetraP · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was excited to read this book but it fell short for me. The first half of the book is the heroine being in an unhappy marriage with a cheater while the hero pines from afar. I don't want to read about that stuff. I wanted hot sexy times with a former student once he grew up and was legal.

I also thought it was really unrealistic that SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER
S
P
O
I
L
E
R
S, Hero was a virgin even though he worked at a fetish club during college and "topped" people with sex toys, but never had sex. I found that very hard to believe.

It was also very hard to read about the heroine miscarrying her cheating husband's baby. I read romance novels to relax, not cry buckets of tears. Especially an erotica novel.

I didn't like that hero used a leash on heroine. I kept picturing dogs on leashes and it's not a sexy image.

I liked that hero told heroine he wanted to wait to have sex because he'd never had a girlfriend before and he wanted to enjoy wooing her. He gave her lilies in different colors and they held hands and went on dates. It was cute.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I devoured this book. I loved the complexity of the characters and their relationships. The happy ever after was amazing and I wish wish wish that the author was planning to write a whole series of these. But since that's probably too much to ask, I can't wait to read all of her other books.

I also wanted to thank the author for normalizing diversity - that school wasn't all white, nor was the interracial relationship depicted in the book treated like a big deal.

[amanda s. · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars, good but not as enchanting as I thought.
Erin, our heroine is just a 22 year old girl. But she really feels like a mature lady and after a while I stop thinking of her being a year younger than me.
The writing itself is not my cup of tea. Simply too much "author telling" instead of "author showing". Lack of conversation between characters also irked me.

Overall, I enjoyed this book but not much. Maybe it will be for others, just not for me.

[Heather andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shep sure knows how to get his woman in tight places, "I press the length of my body along the back of hers until she’s trapped between me and the board. “Shep, you’re going to get chalk all over my sweater.” I really liked this book it was sexy, hot and kinky.

[Karmen · Rating 3 out of 5]

It wasn't what I expected. Not sure, maybe I wanted a bit more angst and maybe a little more taboo. Don't get me wrong, I didn't hate it, but didn't love it I couldn't quite connect with the characters. Review on release day.

[Elisabeth Lane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let’s go on a little trip all the way back to 2014. I had just started Cooking Up Romance and joined Twitter when I discovered a brand new, unpublished writer named Tamsen Parker talking about her “technical virgin hero”. Now, I love me a virgin hero and the technical part was too intriguing not to inquire about. But when asked, Tamsen said that the book didn’t yet have a publisher and there were a few releases planned before that one so I filed it away as a hope for the future and didn’t think too much more about it. Until School Ties came out.

School Ties is a kinky m/f romance between Erin Brewster and Zach Shepherd that’s got a little bit of a taboo built into it–when they meet, Erin is Zach’s teacher at a New England prep school and several years older. So even if this hero hadn’t been a virgin, this was already my catnip up one side and down the other. I love teacher-student romances (more about that in a minute because I know it won’t work for everyone), love age gap romances and love New England settings. So you can pretty much picture me bouncing with glee when I read the summary. Luckily the book was truly everything I hoped for.

Erin Brewster is a prep school math teacher who has returned to the school where her uncle was headmaster after being shipped around by her nomadic father her entire childhood. She is eager to settle somewhere and prove her worth as a new teacher. While she and Zach have some instant chemistry though, Erin knows anything more than the quick conversations and sidelong glances they occasionally share would get both of them in serious hot water. So when another teacher expresses a romantic interest, she goes along with that relationship even though he doesn’t really hit all her secretly submissive sexy buttons.

Zach meanwhile is struggling with family problems since he’s not super privileged like a lot of the other students at the pricey prep school. He watches Erin’s relationship with the other teacher progress with disappointment and concern, but knows there’s nothing he can or should do about their highly tentative connection. Finally graduation rolls around and Zach goes off to college without his relationship with Erin going beyond short conversations and mild flirtations. For those worried about the ethical issues inherent in the playing out of this trope, there is one kiss, but it doesn’t take place until after the gradation ceremony. While this isn’t quite a fauxboo scenario–the emotional intimacy that develops between Zach and Erin is more than is probably strictly appropriate–nothing physical of any note happens until years after he is no longer her student.

Fast-forward several years to Zach having graduated from college and learned some tools of the kinky trade (in granted a slightly contrived way, but there’s a scene in there that’s so fab I was willing to overlook that–I don’t want to spoil it, but don’t worry, you’ll know when you get to it) and returned to the prep school as a teacher. Though it takes a while, a relationship does eventually develop between Erin and Zach, the ultimate in slow burns. Another aspect I really enjoyed is the over-the-top care-taking in this book. Zach is incredibly sweet to the tentative Erin. There are several points where she’s hurt, scared, uncomfortable or worried and he manages to coddle her without infantilizing her.

If I have one quibble it’s that for a brief period the book does go down the “I’m too dirty/kinky/scary for you” path that has become rather a cliche in BDSM romance. I’d rather that have not been a feature of the early days of the second part of the couple’s romance. But it quickly recovers.

The more I thought about this book the more I liked it. In addition to containing some of my favorite tropes, most of the book is sexy set to simmer. When they do eventually develop a romantic and sexual relationship, it’s super fulfilling because we’ve been cheering for them for so long. Plus the sweetness of the hero made it an extra special squishy romance without tipping over into the saccharine. Definitely worth waiting two years for!

I received a complimentary copy of School Ties from the publisher via NetGalley for review purposes.

[Lindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Thoughts:

School Ties is the first book that I've read by Tamsen Parker. I was drawn to this book due to the synopsis and cover. Overall, it was an okay read for me. There were things that I enjoyed, as well as things I disliked about this story.

The story is told soley from the main character's point of view. Erin Brewster is a new teacher at Hawthorne Hill, an elite prep school. This is Erin's dream job, and she is thrilled to be a part of "The Hill," a place that holds many fond memories for Erin of when she use to visit her grandfather, who ran the school. Now that her grandfather has passed on, her Uncle Rett is the Headmaster of the all boys school.

On Erin's first day of teaching, one of her senior's in Calculus, Zach "Shep" Shepherd catches her eye. He is very good looking, keeps to himself, and is mature for his age. As the school year goes on, Erin fins herself fantasizing about Shep. However, she would never cross any lines.

Shep has a crush on Erin at the beginning of the school year. However, as he gets to know her, he really likes who she is as a person. Shep becomes Erin's favorite student, and they grow very close to one another.

Shep fast tracks through college, and three years later is hired as the new Math Teacher at Hawthorne Hill. He's come back to claim what he wants most; his senior Calculus Teacher, Erin.

I enjoyed reading about the friendship that developed between Erin and Shep. I could really feel their connection with one another, and the sexual tension between these two was off of the charts. However, while I love sexual tension and build up, I felt like the author waited too long for the characters to get together.

I loved Erin and Shep's personalities and the dynamic that they had with one another at the beginning of the story. However, they both seemed to change a lot in the second half of the story. Erin came across as whinny. She was always crying or sobbing for one reason or another, and she seemed to lack a backbone. Plus, at times she came across as almost childlike, with her constant approval seeking behavior, sucking her thumb when she slept, and the way she wore her insecurity. Shep lost his appeal for me. The once mysterious, sexy, sweet, and caring guy, came across as if he were a completely different character when he returned three years later. He wasn't as warm, sweet, or gentle as he previously was.

I really enjoyed how Shep encouraged Erin to share her fantasies and tell him bluntly what she wanted from him sexually. Her pleasure was very important to him, and he did his best to make her desires a reality.

My Rating:

I give, School Ties by Tamsen Parker, 3 Crushing on Teacher, BDSM, Exploration, Sharing Fantasies Filled Stars!

[Kendra Needs · Rating 3 out of 5]

SCHOOL TIES by Tamsen Parker was a good book, I have to admit it took me a long while to get into this book, I was almost halfway through before the story started to pick up and interest me, but I was glad I held out and finished reading it as from mid way on the book was great.

The story in this book follows Erin Brewster as she starts out her teaching career (at one of the most prestigious all boys school) with the serious hots for a student, Zach Shepherd, she never acts on these feelings, but you can tell she wants to.  Zach Shepherd, is just a high school student, who happens to have a crush, and not just a teenage crush, on his teacher but doesn't act on it, that is until graduation day when Zach kisses Erin when she is feeling down (she has just learned her husband has been cheating on her).  Fast forward to the end of university for Zach, when he heads back to the school where Erin is still teaching, he is now a teacher as well.   But  Zach come back a changed man, he is not the same boy he was in high school, working at a BDSM club will do that to you, and he encourages Erin to stay away from him even though she is no longer married and is free to be with him know.  Little does Zach know that submission and dominance is what Erin is longing for.  Will Erin and Shep/Zach end up together or will Zach stand his ground and keep his distance?

SCHOOL TIES by Tamsen Parker turned out to be a really good and was worth the struggle through the first part of the book, it was also my first read by this author, I would love to read more about Erin and Shep as I found this book ended right when the story was getting really good.  I would give SCHOOL TIES 3/5 stars.

Reviewed on behalf of Once Upon an Alpha

[Cara Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great characters, sexy, and a bit taboo- School Ties hits it all!
In School Ties, you have Erin- a new teacher fresh out of college, and Shep, the prep-school scholarship kid trying to survive. I'd say you can split this book in two parts, the part where they first meet, but the relationship is taboo, and the second part, years later, and what happens when they meet again. Overall, I enjoyed the story, but at times it felt as though there was too much going on, and I wasn't sure what aspect of the story to focus on. For instance, there is some BDSM involved in the book, but it felt glossed over at some parts because of family issues, or faculty problems.
This is a very character driven book, and Erin and Shep are both likable and lickable as the case may be for Shep. Their chemistry is amazing, and I personally just wanted to reach in the book and hug them at times, and let them know it's going to be okay.
School Ties is a book that is emotionally charged, full of intense moments, and makes you want to read the entire thing in one sitting. Definitely put this at the top of your to-read list!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for a copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Laxmama · Rating 1 out of 5]

For me I really didn't like anything about it. After about 15 % I was skimming and just quit at 90%. What bothered me was it was so disjointed, way too many MC crisis's that were just "resolved". Both the MC, I have no idea what the author was aimi. For with either one of them, Erin was a disaster, and Shep that character was too far fetched to dream up. The kink they had was so meh & felt like an afterthought. There were no friends side characters etc so for me nothing enjoyable.

[Jess · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked this, but it didn't do enough with it's premise and it definitely didn't play into the potential kink aspect enough, not for the teacher/student stuff or the actual BDSM that they were into. I was expecting more given the Tamsen Parker I had read before.

[Melinda]

Meh. DNF for boredom and ridiculousness super early on.

[Introvertitude · Rating 4 out of 5]

School Ties could have been fantastic, but the good bones were hidden and warped by unnecessary exterior nonsense. I wish I could strip it all away and just wallow in the good stuff underneath.

The good: I liked the h/H. I wanted them to get together, I wanted them to work through their issues, and I wanted them to have a happy future. The bones of a great story were there, and the parts that were just between Shep and Erin were solid. Their first time together? Tender, messy, human, and beautiful.

The not-so-good: Shep and Erin couldn't reach their full potential as a couple because of the extra plot piled on top of them.


The wedding/baby/miscarriage plotline? The last-minute homewrecker plotline? No. Not necessary. I don't believe Erin would ever have stayed with Will for 3 days, let alone 3 years, no matter what she thinks is necessary to stay at the Hill. She has a brain in her head and she never liked him. I realize he's there to provide her with insecurity and doubt to overcome with Shep, and to provide Shep an opportunity to care for her, but these objectives could have been achieved - better - in other ways. Need Erin to be doubtful of fidelity? Well, her philandering father is a good place to start. Need Shep to take care of Erin? Lots of other ways to do that, in fact we come back to the same sort of scene later in the book. Will was flotsam, baggage, clutter - and he was too douchey even to hate. And Lana was superfluous at best.

Also: enough with the unnecessary miscarriages. Unless it is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY for REAL REASONS, it is just hurtful to readers. I've been there, don't want to read about it again with no warning....and then to have it not really needed for plot purposes just adds insult to injury. Stop it.



It seems like I'm angry with this book, but it's really more of a benevolent frustration. There is so much scope for exploration between Skip and Erin that just isn't explored because they're busy with the aforementioned clutter. Just look at the setup: we have the teacher/student dynamic, the wealth/class dynamic, the long-awaited love dynamic, the kink dynamic, the experienced woman/technically virgin man dynamic, the doubt/faith dynamic, the wanting-a-home/hating home dynamic....who needs Will or Lana with all this good stuff?!

There were glimpses of those good bones in the one-on-one interactions between Shep and Erin. That's what I wanted in this book. Let the other stuff go and really dig into their brains and hearts and show us what happens. Even the final fantasy scene was a bit of a cop-out. I don't believe they'd finally enact a long-standing fantasy and not keep the thrill of a power twist with Erin as teacher and Shep as student.

Ms. Parker, you have all the important ingredients here. Please, just trust them and dig in! Show us the mess and the humanity and the feels that exist just between these two people. There is a whole universe in the space between them. You don't need the rest.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Erin has come to Hawthorne Hill to teach mathematics to an all boys boarding school. It was her legacy…having run around the campus with her grandfather during his time as a faculty member. Erin has always dreamed of following in his footsteps. A way to feel connected to the person that was more like a father than her own.

What Erin could have never predicted was the way one student could capture her attention. A draw to one of her students that was anything but a mentor relationship. A forbidden attraction that tempted her to cross a boundary that she could never return from. Fighting this pull pulled Erin in a direction that she hadn’t initially planned. A path that would forever change who she was and a loss so devastating to Erin.

Attending Hawthorne Hill on a scholarship, Shep knew he had to work hard to secure a future in college. There was no way he could depend on his family for financial support or a shoulder to lean on. Determination fueled the senior to excel in all aspects of his life. Ensuring his dream would soon become a reality. What Shep didn’t count on was the way he soon anticipated every single moment he spent in Erin’s classroom. A problem that began to nag him around every turn.

Determined to keep the attraction from tarnishing Erin’s reputation, Shep carries on with his future plans and heads to college. However - he constantly thinks of Erin. Wondering what she is doing in his absence. Deliberating on if she still teaches at his alma mater. Shep begins a new education of sorts during his time at college. One that will shape his relationships to come.


Alright….this is one of those times where I am stumped on how to politely critique a book. I always try to find a positive and pride myself on not DNF’ing a book. After all - someone has put their heart and soul into each page. It’s like watching your child grow up and head out in the world. I always try to give a book the same respect. This time….I was struggling to finish. So - much so that I almost broke that DNF rule.

This story has so many subplots melded with the main story. A distraction from the initial plot. The whole tryst between Will and Erin was unbelievable and unrealistic. It was a clash of the way Erin’s character was portrayed initially and didn’t seem cohesive at any point. Then there was the BDSM situation…..I love a well written sexy story. BDSM? Bring it on!! This time - the author made the situation and circumstance surrounding the BDSM aspect so far fetched it made me want to gag….literally. Then the whole #VirginDom…..well….I believe I will call it like I see it…..absolutely ridiculous.

A true catastrophe of a book hidden between an appealing cover.