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Broken Lives #1
Broken English
For me, the name Dante conjured up two images. The first was the epic depictions of Hell from Dante’s Inferno, with people burning for their sins. The second image was a sexual depiction. I don’t know where it came from, but as far back as I can remember, I had always associated the name Dante with a beautiful and sexy man. I'd imagined a dark-haired, dark-eyed, gorgeous lothario, the type who could capture a woman’s heart with just one look. Dante was the Fabio of my generation, the heartthrob that got women’s hearts beating fast, made us want this man to rip our clothes off and to throw us onto the bed.
Little did I know that the Dante that walked into my life was very different from the one I’d imagined. Oh, he was dark-haired, dark-eyed, gorgeous, even a lothario ... just ... he wasn’t a man. He was a fifteen-year-old boy who was going to send me to the Hell his namesake had written about.
And I was his teacher.
Tags: Taboo, Literary Fiction, Teacher/Student Relationship, English Teacher, Male Student, Mental Health Issues, Abuse, Poetry, Gangs, High School.
The BROKEN LIVES series will be broken up into two sets (duets). Each set (duet) has a self-contained, standalone story. Broken English (part 1) and Shattered Poetry (Part 2) are the first set, finishing the high school stage of Clara’s and Dante’s lives. The next set, book 3 and 4, is a new story, taking their relationship to another level.
Little did I know that the Dante that walked into my life was very different from the one I’d imagined. Oh, he was dark-haired, dark-eyed, gorgeous, even a lothario ... just ... he wasn’t a man. He was a fifteen-year-old boy who was going to send me to the Hell his namesake had written about.
And I was his teacher.
Tags: Taboo, Literary Fiction, Teacher/Student Relationship, English Teacher, Male Student, Mental Health Issues, Abuse, Poetry, Gangs, High School.
The BROKEN LIVES series will be broken up into two sets (duets). Each set (duet) has a self-contained, standalone story. Broken English (part 1) and Shattered Poetry (Part 2) are the first set, finishing the high school stage of Clara’s and Dante’s lives. The next set, book 3 and 4, is a new story, taking their relationship to another level.
323 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 2, 2016
36 people are currently reading
1234 people want to read
About the author
Marita A. Hansen
100 books855 followersSOME FACTS ABOUT ME:
I'm a New Zealander from Auckland, with dual citizenship (NZ and Croatia). I've also lived in Kerikeri, Singapore and Papua New Guinea.
CAREER PATH: I started off as a Graphic Designer, then went to Auckland University, where I got a BA degree in Art History and Italian Studies and a post-graduate Honors degree in Art History. I worked in the Art History field, then became a full-time artist, doing commissions. I eventually lost all of my senses and gave it up to be a self-published writer, publishing my first book in 2011. Though, earlier in 2023 I returned to art, shelving being a writer since book pirates made it impossible to earn a living from my work, excessively pirating my books. They basically broke my spirit. However, a very nice reader spurred me on to try again, so I'm attempting to revive my writing career.
BAD HABITS: I'm a major procrastinator, I stay up way too late, and I get distracted far too easily unless it's doing something I love. My mind never stops racing, can't turn ADHD off.
SPORTS: As a teenager my favourite sports were karate, badminton, and running. I also did unarmed combat and played in a touch rugby team (my gym teacher made me do the last one!) As an adult, I've couched soccer and have completed two marathons, numerous half-marathons and one 30K run, though I stick to the gym now, hanging up my running shoes.
STATUS: Married to my high school sweetheart (which he hates me calling him). We have two kids.
Author Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Marita-A-Han...
I'm a New Zealander from Auckland, with dual citizenship (NZ and Croatia). I've also lived in Kerikeri, Singapore and Papua New Guinea.
CAREER PATH: I started off as a Graphic Designer, then went to Auckland University, where I got a BA degree in Art History and Italian Studies and a post-graduate Honors degree in Art History. I worked in the Art History field, then became a full-time artist, doing commissions. I eventually lost all of my senses and gave it up to be a self-published writer, publishing my first book in 2011. Though, earlier in 2023 I returned to art, shelving being a writer since book pirates made it impossible to earn a living from my work, excessively pirating my books. They basically broke my spirit. However, a very nice reader spurred me on to try again, so I'm attempting to revive my writing career.
BAD HABITS: I'm a major procrastinator, I stay up way too late, and I get distracted far too easily unless it's doing something I love. My mind never stops racing, can't turn ADHD off.
SPORTS: As a teenager my favourite sports were karate, badminton, and running. I also did unarmed combat and played in a touch rugby team (my gym teacher made me do the last one!) As an adult, I've couched soccer and have completed two marathons, numerous half-marathons and one 30K run, though I stick to the gym now, hanging up my running shoes.
STATUS: Married to my high school sweetheart (which he hates me calling him). We have two kids.
Author Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Marita-A-Han...
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April 10, 2018
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️! Broken English, book 1 of 4. Dante’s reckless & forbidden seduction of his English teacher, who is married!
“Then stop eyeballing me like you wanna ride my cock,” I said. “You were doin’ it all through English class.”
“I was not!”
“Liar. You even did it during detention.”
Books in Broken Lives series should be read in order:
Book 1: Broken English
Book 2: Shattered Poetry
Book 3: Jagged Pill
Book 4: Love Drunk
The Broken Lives series follows student, drug dealer and poet, Dante Rata from the age of fifteen into adulthood as he grows up coping with family, life, school, drugs, music, girls, women, sex and more sex.
Dante is a product of his environment; born and raised into violence, drugs, gangs and crime in the streets of South Auckland. But underneath the rough exterior is a complex and reflective young man marred by the devastation of murder, helplessness of drug addiction and unspeakable secrets.
Broken English (book 1) opens up to Dante meeting his new English teacher, Clara Hatton, Mrs. Hatton. They are off to a rocky start dealing with schoolwork, drama and boundaries.
Being a horny teenager, Dante takes advantage of his good looks by setting out to seduce his new teacher. Their forbidden attraction is palpable, fueling cocky behavior by Dante, while Clara struggles to cope with her guilt. It’s dangerous, reckless and so forbidden…
There are no words that can fairly describe the complexity of Dante Rata. Be prepared to be swept off your feet by his uncanny beauty, cocky, unpredictable, brave, devious, reckless, selfish and volatile behavior and let his vulnerabilities and flaws melt your heart.
“He remained where he was, looking unsure of what to do. His eyes were dark pools of emotion, giving me the impression he was holding back tears. It made my heart ache for him.”
Clara Hatton, Mrs. Hatton did not stand a chance against the force that is Dante (and neither did I). Six words to describe Clara: Caring, reflective, naïve, immature, misguided and meek.
“You’re not to say or do anything sexual. You will also not swear or be rude to me.”
“I often blurt things out before I think. It’s not always intentional.”
Broken English, told from dual POVs, is forbidden romance at its best. Story is driven my Dante and I might have wished myself Clara once or twice while reading. It ends with a shocker leading right to book 2, Shattered Poetry for the continuation of their story.
Addicting! Forbidden! Reckless! Sinfully good! I feel like re-reading it right now!
“Pushing up onto my elbows, I stared at her from under the fringe of my messy hair. “I wanted to lie down where you fucked,” I said, interested in seeing her reaction.
“You’re unbelievable,” she gasped.”
***
Hero: ★★★★★+
Heroine: ★★★★
Plot: ★★★★★
Storytelling: ★★★★★
Sexual tension: ★★★★★
Sex scenes: ★★★★1/2
Story ending: N/A
******************************************
OVERALL RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Angst: | MEDIUM FOCUS |
Darkness: | MEDIUM FOCUS |
Humor: | MEDIUM FOCUS |
Kink: | LOW FOCUS |
Romance: | LOW FOCUS |
Sex frequency: | LOW FOCUS |
Suspense: | MEDIUM FOCUS |
July 16, 2016
5 + Stars......Amazing!!
Dante....student...15
Clara....teacher....married,early twenties
This book took me completely by surprise.It grabbed hold of me and would not let go.I read it in just over 24hours,I couldn't put it down.
From the blurb you'd be forgiven for thinking it was a sexy Teacher/Student book but it's so much more than that.For a start it's a role reversal to similar books,Clara is the teacher and Dante is the student.
Clara is happily married,in her early twenties.For the past few years she's been working as a Teaching Assistant in England but has returned to New Zealand and has taken a job as an English teacher at a High School in a rough area.Her husband is following on in a few weeks.
Dante is 15 and to say he's had a troubled past is an understatement.A lot of books feature a character with a troubled past,sometimes they work,sometimes they don't....this is definitely the exception.
Dante's character was real.The Author's portrayal of his past and how it has shaped his young life was so believable.
The boy is gorgeous,highly sexual and looks and behaves a lot older than he is.
He oozes sex and just about every girl wants a piece of him.He puts on an arrogant front but deep down wants someone to see past his devastating good looks.
So what happens when the Student and Teacher meet??
Sparks definitely fly but this isn't a hot for teacher book,there's a lot more depth to it.
Clara tries so hard to resist her attraction to Dante,she knows her feelings are all kind of wrong.
I'm not giving any indication of what does or doesn't happen between them.I really had no idea which direction the story would go.
The writing is brilliant and apart from the two main characters there are some great secondary ones...not always likable but very well developed.
Flawed Teachers
Flawed Students
And the high school setting was very well done.
This book blew me away and it's down to Jan's review (still couldn't work out how to post a link to her review...but check it out )
Highly,highly recommended!!!!
***Arc from Author***
I glanced back at the teacher,thinking she was hot as fuck.
Dante....student...15
Clara....teacher....married,early twenties
This book took me completely by surprise.It grabbed hold of me and would not let go.I read it in just over 24hours,I couldn't put it down.
From the blurb you'd be forgiven for thinking it was a sexy Teacher/Student book but it's so much more than that.For a start it's a role reversal to similar books,Clara is the teacher and Dante is the student.
Clara is happily married,in her early twenties.For the past few years she's been working as a Teaching Assistant in England but has returned to New Zealand and has taken a job as an English teacher at a High School in a rough area.Her husband is following on in a few weeks.
Dante is 15 and to say he's had a troubled past is an understatement.A lot of books feature a character with a troubled past,sometimes they work,sometimes they don't....this is definitely the exception.
Dante's character was real.The Author's portrayal of his past and how it has shaped his young life was so believable.
The boy is gorgeous,highly sexual and looks and behaves a lot older than he is.
He oozes sex and just about every girl wants a piece of him.He puts on an arrogant front but deep down wants someone to see past his devastating good looks.
So what happens when the Student and Teacher meet??
Sparks definitely fly but this isn't a hot for teacher book,there's a lot more depth to it.
Clara tries so hard to resist her attraction to Dante,she knows her feelings are all kind of wrong.
He lowered his head to mine,looking like he was going to kiss me.I could feel his breath on my lips,a tickle across my flesh,so close I could almost taste him-
I'm not giving any indication of what does or doesn't happen between them.I really had no idea which direction the story would go.
The writing is brilliant and apart from the two main characters there are some great secondary ones...not always likable but very well developed.
Flawed Teachers
Flawed Students
And the high school setting was very well done.
This book blew me away and it's down to Jan's review (still couldn't work out how to post a link to her review...but check it out )
Highly,highly recommended!!!!
***Arc from Author***
February 4, 2017
Broken English is live and free on Kindle unlimited right now!! :D
So far, this year, I have read 115 books.
Broken English is hands down, one of the best. Top 5 I would say.
I dived into this little gem expecting a dirty and sordid story about an affair between a lady teacher (for a change) and a boy. Biggest mistake ever by assuming that. Or not. After all, being taken by surprise here worked in a very positive way, in my opinion.
Broken English surpassed all my expectations and proved to me why I love reading. The feeling of finishing a story dumbstruck and on a high is priceless.
Marita Hansen sucked me in, on an intense, impressive and intoxicant 3D journey to South Auckland, NZ.
I was left in awe with her bewitching characters and entranced by her plot. Her writing seems effortless, a remarkable skill. As a result, I went into a NON-STOP-READING mode. Meaning: Pizza for dinner and DON’T-YOU- DARE-TALK-TO- ME status.
The story starts with Clara (24), a Kiwi who spent the last 4 years working as a teacher assistant in posh schools in London, moving back to NZ. She is married to a British who had to stay behind due to visa problems.
Back to NZ, Clara takes a job as a permanent English teacher at Wera High School.
Wera High is located in a rough part of South Auckland, a huge social gap from where Clara is coming from. Clara doesn’t mind though. She’s happy and up to the challenge, after all, her dream is to teach English and make a difference in the kids’ life. Such a sweet illusion …
In her first day at Wera she had to intervene in a fight where a boy was being beaten by other 3.
The boy was Dante Rata and he would change Clara’s life forever.
Now, hold your horses! Don't judge................ just yet! Meet Dante first:
Dante Rata is a 15 year boy with a troubled past and a PhD in life experience; such as stealing, selling weed, escaping youth prison at the tender age of 13, having his dick sucked, sex, and so on… He had the looks of a model and a body of a man. Needless to say he was Weras’s School Romeo with a bad vocabulary, right?
Dante is shameless.
He's pure mischief and has no filter.
He is mouthy, arrogant, cocky
And he is intensely sexual.
Clara tried to fight her attraction for Dante, HARD. She was struggling against her ideals, morals and ethics. You could see how much it was destroying her. He pushed and she resisted… and resisted more, until…??????? Read the book.
Phew!
Dante Rata was hot as fuck!
I heart the way the story was portrayed at school.
It was incredible to see through Clara’s eyes the reality of a school in a lower social-economic area. The Kids were louder, bigger, scruffier and more disorderly. They also looked unconcerned with being told off. They flicked fingers, called names and collected suspensions thinking of it as a holiday. No one was given a fuck.
I had a blast with these kids. I know I shouldn’t,*hiding guilty face* but they made me laugh hard so many times with their interactions!
The C, F, M, and S words were used as much as IS and WAS, or more accurately WUZ. They seem to have their own dialect, a broken form of English that didn’t quite match how everyone else spoke.
Well, if you still reading this you must be sick of me by now.
Cutting to the chase:
I absolutely loved this illicit story.
ARC kindly provided by http://www.starangelsreviews.com in exchange for an honest review.
So far, this year, I have read 115 books.
Broken English is hands down, one of the best. Top 5 I would say.
I dived into this little gem expecting a dirty and sordid story about an affair between a lady teacher (for a change) and a boy. Biggest mistake ever by assuming that. Or not. After all, being taken by surprise here worked in a very positive way, in my opinion.
Broken English surpassed all my expectations and proved to me why I love reading. The feeling of finishing a story dumbstruck and on a high is priceless.
Marita Hansen sucked me in, on an intense, impressive and intoxicant 3D journey to South Auckland, NZ.
I was left in awe with her bewitching characters and entranced by her plot. Her writing seems effortless, a remarkable skill. As a result, I went into a NON-STOP-READING mode. Meaning: Pizza for dinner and DON’T-YOU- DARE-TALK-TO- ME status.
The story starts with Clara (24), a Kiwi who spent the last 4 years working as a teacher assistant in posh schools in London, moving back to NZ. She is married to a British who had to stay behind due to visa problems.
Back to NZ, Clara takes a job as a permanent English teacher at Wera High School.
Wera High is located in a rough part of South Auckland, a huge social gap from where Clara is coming from. Clara doesn’t mind though. She’s happy and up to the challenge, after all, her dream is to teach English and make a difference in the kids’ life. Such a sweet illusion …
In her first day at Wera she had to intervene in a fight where a boy was being beaten by other 3.
The boy was Dante Rata and he would change Clara’s life forever.
Now, hold your horses! Don't judge................ just yet! Meet Dante first:
Dante Rata is a 15 year boy with a troubled past and a PhD in life experience; such as stealing, selling weed, escaping youth prison at the tender age of 13, having his dick sucked, sex, and so on… He had the looks of a model and a body of a man. Needless to say he was Weras’s School Romeo with a bad vocabulary, right?
Dante is shameless.
He's pure mischief and has no filter.
He is mouthy, arrogant, cocky
And he is intensely sexual.
Clara tried to fight her attraction for Dante, HARD. She was struggling against her ideals, morals and ethics. You could see how much it was destroying her. He pushed and she resisted… and resisted more, until…??????? Read the book.
Phew!
Dante Rata was hot as fuck! I heart the way the story was portrayed at school.
It was incredible to see through Clara’s eyes the reality of a school in a lower social-economic area. The Kids were louder, bigger, scruffier and more disorderly. They also looked unconcerned with being told off. They flicked fingers, called names and collected suspensions thinking of it as a holiday. No one was given a fuck.
I had a blast with these kids. I know I shouldn’t,*hiding guilty face* but they made me laugh hard so many times with their interactions!
The C, F, M, and S words were used as much as IS and WAS, or more accurately WUZ. They seem to have their own dialect, a broken form of English that didn’t quite match how everyone else spoke.
Well, if you still reading this you must be sick of me by now.
Cutting to the chase:
I absolutely loved this illicit story.
ARC kindly provided by http://www.starangelsreviews.com in exchange for an honest review.
July 22, 2016
Genre: General Fiction
Type: Book 1 of 3 from Broken Lives series
POV: First Person - Dual
Rating:
Clara Hatton moved from England to teach at Wera High School, a lower socio-economic area of Auckland. As a teacher, she was determined to make a difference in the lives of her problematic students. But she underestimated the difficulties in handling them especially when one of them demanded her attention with not only his attitude but also his good looks.
Dante Rata was only fifteen, but life lessons forced him to grow up before he was ready. His stunning looks not only earned him admirations but also contempt. It thrilled him when one of the admiration came from the new beautiful teacher. For someone who always gotten himself into trouble, this latest one might end up more than he could handle.
I have to admit, this book caught my attention not only because the student in this story was male but also only fifteen. But those two elements were only a small fraction of what the story was about because it went deeper than that.
Dante was such an interesting character. On the surface, he was such a troublemaker whose sexuality went beyond his years. But deep down inside he was just a scared and insecured teenage boy. And everytime he showed that hidden side if him, my heart ached for him. It's just hard not to care for him.
Despite being the older teacher, Clara was not a sleazy character. She can't helped but being drawn to Dante not just physically, but also emotionally. She was protective of him as a good teacher should.
This book is not about romance. There wasn't really a relationship between them, but more about their individual issues and growth that crossover between them. And the story also expanded to the secondary characters and how their actions affecting the main characters in major way. I would say the pace is more muted but looks like the next book could potentially be explosive.
Broken English is a story of two individuals learning and fighting attractions to each other due to circumstances. Despite their situation, the book was not written in a disturbing way, instead it's a hard look on how life could be when you're from the other side of the track.
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
Type: Book 1 of 3 from Broken Lives series
POV: First Person - Dual
Rating:
Clara Hatton moved from England to teach at Wera High School, a lower socio-economic area of Auckland. As a teacher, she was determined to make a difference in the lives of her problematic students. But she underestimated the difficulties in handling them especially when one of them demanded her attention with not only his attitude but also his good looks.
Dante Rata was only fifteen, but life lessons forced him to grow up before he was ready. His stunning looks not only earned him admirations but also contempt. It thrilled him when one of the admiration came from the new beautiful teacher. For someone who always gotten himself into trouble, this latest one might end up more than he could handle.
I have to admit, this book caught my attention not only because the student in this story was male but also only fifteen. But those two elements were only a small fraction of what the story was about because it went deeper than that.
Dante was such an interesting character. On the surface, he was such a troublemaker whose sexuality went beyond his years. But deep down inside he was just a scared and insecured teenage boy. And everytime he showed that hidden side if him, my heart ached for him. It's just hard not to care for him.
I should’ve shut him down straight away, treating him like any other student. But that was the problem ... he wasn’t like any other student, because if he were, I wouldn’t be reacting in such an unethical manner.
Despite being the older teacher, Clara was not a sleazy character. She can't helped but being drawn to Dante not just physically, but also emotionally. She was protective of him as a good teacher should.
Even though I knew it was wrong to do, I flopped back onto the mattress, wondering what it would be like to live in a place like this and to have a nice woman like Mrs. Hatton to wake up to. For a moment , I felt jealous of her husband, wishing I had what he had.
This book is not about romance. There wasn't really a relationship between them, but more about their individual issues and growth that crossover between them. And the story also expanded to the secondary characters and how their actions affecting the main characters in major way. I would say the pace is more muted but looks like the next book could potentially be explosive.
"I kept her secret, like I’ll keep yours, no matter how much you both make me feel like a worthless piece of shit.”
Broken English is a story of two individuals learning and fighting attractions to each other due to circumstances. Despite their situation, the book was not written in a disturbing way, instead it's a hard look on how life could be when you're from the other side of the track.
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
December 2, 2016
"My mind was tripping over itself, tumbling down a rabbit hole, getting lost in his manipulations, the high he was giving me, the pleasure, the ecstasy."
Broken English is the first book in the Broken Lives Series. It is a forbidden romance full of passion, heartbreak, broken people, and survival.
Clara Hatton is an ambitious and bright young school teacher who begins her first day full of hope and passion for educating her young students. The climate on her new campus is anything but calm. The school is overrun by students who are struggling to survive. The student body is plagued with poverty, drugs, alcohol, and homework and lectures seem to be inconsequential when it comes to survival. Dante Rata is just one of the many students at risk of dropping out and ending up desolate on the streets. Dante has experienced significant loss, and the demons of his daily life continue to infiltrate his every thought and action. Clara takes an immediate interest in helping Dante but when an unexpected attraction forms between the two, the temptation becomes too intense for either of them to deny.
"It was almost pulsing, aching for him, the built-up frustration of seeing what I wanted and not being able to touch it..."Told in dual POV, Broken English has a complex plot that covers the plight of several characters. Although the main plot line is the "forbidden lust" developing between Clara and her student Dante, the supporting characters are equally as important with the addiction, violence, and struggles that exist in their everyday life. The pacing of the writing remains at an accelerated rate as the anticipation of "will they" or "won't they" continues to hang on every single page. Through each situation and moment, I sympathized with the characters and their plight but certainly felt anxious about their choices. The sexual tension is extreme throughout the read and with each push of a boundary, I felt my stress level was going to explode off the charts! I highly recommend this read to my friends who enjoy "pushing the boundaries" and aren't afraid to dive into an unconventional romance. Be forewarned, the conclusion of Broken English ends with quite a bang, so you will want to have Shattered Poetry downloaded on your Kindle and ready to read.
Overall, I am still processing my feelings about Clara and Dante and everything that happened in this broken world. In the very least I can say with 100% certainty that this is a story that I will never forget.
***Broken Lives***
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
August 10, 2017
5★★★★★ Dante Stars
Genre: General Fiction
Type: Book 1 of 3 from Broken Lives series
POV: First Person – Dual
Publication Date: August 2nd 2016
Clara Hatton is the new teacher in town; well a lower class town but is a big deal to her indeed. Recently moved to England and landing the job of her dreams; at only twenty-four years old; Clara was happy for this opportunity. She was pretty, petite and defiantly did not looked like twenty four; she looks more like a student herself. It was that reason that it was so hard for her students to keep away from her; they really loved to messed with her however was bound to make an impression on her students and not let them intimidate her. After all, she had one goal and that was to make a difference in the lives of her students in a positive way.
Dante Rata; a junior in high school and only fifteen-years old has had a hard and troubled life. It would be almost impossible not to love this boy with his cockiness, the way he look, talks, walks and the way he acts in the outside you wouldn't even guess he was that young. However; in the inside he was tender and broken you can't helped but want to protect him. On the first day of school Dante meets his new English teacher not the way he would have preferred he was being attacked by a bully and Mrs Hatton saw right away through him. That embarrassment didn't stop Dante from lusting over Clara.
The story was deep and honestly I had no idea what I was getting myself into. The age difference between a boy student and a female teacher freaked me out at first; however this was a tiny and minor freaked considering everything else that happened on this book. This book is so much more, so much deeper and I couldn't helped but devouring it all in one setting.
Clara was also drawn to Dante's beauty and confident character. However; she wasn't like everyone else around Dante. She was good to him and was doing her best to really help him, to get him the help that he desperately needed. Dante was so stubborn though he kept tempting her so much so that it was so hard for Clara to resist her desires.
The ending of this book is just the beginning of so much to come. I can't wait to know more about Clara, Dante and the side characters. I believe this book is a wonderful start to a fantastic series. I would defiantly recommend this to everyone who is open minded and who is not scare to read about struggles that other people go through and learn about them.
Pre-order link: https://www.amazon.com/Broken-English...
Book Order Series: This is a Triology
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
Genre: General Fiction
Type: Book 1 of 3 from Broken Lives series
POV: First Person – Dual
Publication Date: August 2nd 2016
"Often the most confident and arrogant kids are the most broken inside."
Clara Hatton is the new teacher in town; well a lower class town but is a big deal to her indeed. Recently moved to England and landing the job of her dreams; at only twenty-four years old; Clara was happy for this opportunity. She was pretty, petite and defiantly did not looked like twenty four; she looks more like a student herself. It was that reason that it was so hard for her students to keep away from her; they really loved to messed with her however was bound to make an impression on her students and not let them intimidate her. After all, she had one goal and that was to make a difference in the lives of her students in a positive way.
Dante Rata; a junior in high school and only fifteen-years old has had a hard and troubled life. It would be almost impossible not to love this boy with his cockiness, the way he look, talks, walks and the way he acts in the outside you wouldn't even guess he was that young. However; in the inside he was tender and broken you can't helped but want to protect him. On the first day of school Dante meets his new English teacher not the way he would have preferred he was being attacked by a bully and Mrs Hatton saw right away through him. That embarrassment didn't stop Dante from lusting over Clara.
"He won't need to be involved if you turn up to class. Please, just come for me."…"His lips twitched, a slight grin replacing his crawl. "I'd love to come for you."
The story was deep and honestly I had no idea what I was getting myself into. The age difference between a boy student and a female teacher freaked me out at first; however this was a tiny and minor freaked considering everything else that happened on this book. This book is so much more, so much deeper and I couldn't helped but devouring it all in one setting.
"Humans are savages, no worse than animals, preying on the weak and vulnerable for their own gain." Dante
Clara was also drawn to Dante's beauty and confident character. However; she wasn't like everyone else around Dante. She was good to him and was doing her best to really help him, to get him the help that he desperately needed. Dante was so stubborn though he kept tempting her so much so that it was so hard for Clara to resist her desires.
"I had never met a boy with that much confidence, or even the audacity to say half the things he'd said to me."Clara
The ending of this book is just the beginning of so much to come. I can't wait to know more about Clara, Dante and the side characters. I believe this book is a wonderful start to a fantastic series. I would defiantly recommend this to everyone who is open minded and who is not scare to read about struggles that other people go through and learn about them.
Pre-order link: https://www.amazon.com/Broken-English...
Book Order Series: This is a Triology
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September 7, 2016
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Actual rating: 4.5 stars
A copy was kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
One of the best things I love in a lot romance novels I’ve read is the big age gap between the couple. I find it interesting and very sweet to see these two figures understand each other despite their age differences. I’ve read a lot of that kind of pairing, but this is my first time to grab one wherein the man is younger than the woman.
He’s not even a man. He’s a boy.
In 2002, Clara Hatton just moved to the south of Auckland, New Zealand to work as a permanent English teacher at Wera High. It was an area wherein a lot of children and teenagers were raised to sell drugs, or become members of the gangs their fathers belong to. Some of them don’t even care if they would have a future or not.
There, she met Dante Rata, a beautiful but arrogant fifteen year-old boy in her most juvenile class filled with disrespectful and delinquent kids. Undeniably, Clara was attracted to him, and Dante kept using that to his advantage to embarrass and irritate her, but mostly to make her notice him.
This is my first time to read a work of Marita A. Hansen, and I could now say that she’s an indie author you shouldn’t miss! I didn’t expect to be emotional because of her wonderful characters and their story. It was tragic and overwhelming in a very realistic way. Also, it has the right amount of sexy that would leave readers wanting more.
Going through this book was like reading half an adult novel and half a young adult one. It was neat, and I love the alternating chapters because they let the readers view their situation in the eyes of an adult and of a teenager.
My one and only issue with this terrific book is that I didn’t feel that Clara is married! She’s like a teenager who got a crush on the handsome bully, but she’s being bullied by that said guy, so she’s trying to get rid of her want and lust. I really never felt her love for her husband. I would have given this a solid 5-star rating if the plot was not greatly affected by how not-married Clara seemed like. It reduced the intensity of their building relationship for me.
Despite that, I love her passion for teaching, although there were times that she wanted to quit. It's uplifting to see her care for her students, especially when she shows how much she appreciates their cleverness.
I honestly didn’t expect to love Dante because of how his character is described – very beautiful, someone girls would like to have sex with. I was getting tired of reading about love interests who are like him, but he made a big exception! Dante got my full attention the very moment I started reading this book. He is the best thing in this novel! He is damaged and traumatized by all the things that happened and is still happening in his life. He tries his very best to cope with his problems on his own for the sake of taking care of his dad. I think he’s a really sweet and admirable boy with a good heart, although he acts the way he does. I hate reading about him in pain. It was so awful THAT I WAS SOBBING IN THE BATHROOM AT FIVE IN THE MORNING!! How he sees himself hurts so much! No one deserves to undergo all that. I love that the author, through her writing, was able to divert my attention from his looks to the real him.
Based on what I understood of Dante, I honestly think that this blossoming affair between him and Clara could destroy him if everything fell apart. I am hoping for the best that it would have a positive impact on his life instead of a negative one. He’s been through so much, and I want him to be happy.
Most of the other characters of this story were so effective in annoying me. I wanted to tie them up, not for kinks, BUT TO BURN THEM ALL ALIVE! They were so skillful in making Dante’s life miserable and complicated because of their selfishness. Number one on my list is Jasper. He may care for Dante like a brother, but he’s so horrifying in how he deals with things. He’s worse than Happy Meal! Next is Phelia whom I hope gets STDs for being such a leech. The girl wouldn’t take “no” for an answer. I wonder how she ever got out of kindergarten. I would love to enumerate them one by one, but that would just irk me more.
Overall, this is now one of my favorite Student-teacher romances. I highly recommend it! I am now very excited for the sequel! I can’t wait to see how things would progress and develop for the two lovely protagonists. I think I should prepare my heart for further damages.
“Humans are savages, no worse than animals, preying on the weak and vulnerable for their own gain. They’ll even bring down the strong with the right words, grinding them into the ground, making them do what they want.”
Actual rating: 4.5 stars
A copy was kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
One of the best things I love in a lot romance novels I’ve read is the big age gap between the couple. I find it interesting and very sweet to see these two figures understand each other despite their age differences. I’ve read a lot of that kind of pairing, but this is my first time to grab one wherein the man is younger than the woman.
He’s not even a man. He’s a boy.
In 2002, Clara Hatton just moved to the south of Auckland, New Zealand to work as a permanent English teacher at Wera High. It was an area wherein a lot of children and teenagers were raised to sell drugs, or become members of the gangs their fathers belong to. Some of them don’t even care if they would have a future or not.
There, she met Dante Rata, a beautiful but arrogant fifteen year-old boy in her most juvenile class filled with disrespectful and delinquent kids. Undeniably, Clara was attracted to him, and Dante kept using that to his advantage to embarrass and irritate her, but mostly to make her notice him.
This is my first time to read a work of Marita A. Hansen, and I could now say that she’s an indie author you shouldn’t miss! I didn’t expect to be emotional because of her wonderful characters and their story. It was tragic and overwhelming in a very realistic way. Also, it has the right amount of sexy that would leave readers wanting more.
Going through this book was like reading half an adult novel and half a young adult one. It was neat, and I love the alternating chapters because they let the readers view their situation in the eyes of an adult and of a teenager.
“Again, how could he not be older? He had to be, because there was no way he wasn’t. I wasn’t the unnatural one, he was.”
My one and only issue with this terrific book is that I didn’t feel that Clara is married! She’s like a teenager who got a crush on the handsome bully, but she’s being bullied by that said guy, so she’s trying to get rid of her want and lust. I really never felt her love for her husband. I would have given this a solid 5-star rating if the plot was not greatly affected by how not-married Clara seemed like. It reduced the intensity of their building relationship for me.
Despite that, I love her passion for teaching, although there were times that she wanted to quit. It's uplifting to see her care for her students, especially when she shows how much she appreciates their cleverness.
"His eyes were dark pools of emotion, giving me the impression he was holding back tears."
I honestly didn’t expect to love Dante because of how his character is described – very beautiful, someone girls would like to have sex with. I was getting tired of reading about love interests who are like him, but he made a big exception! Dante got my full attention the very moment I started reading this book. He is the best thing in this novel! He is damaged and traumatized by all the things that happened and is still happening in his life. He tries his very best to cope with his problems on his own for the sake of taking care of his dad. I think he’s a really sweet and admirable boy with a good heart, although he acts the way he does. I hate reading about him in pain. It was so awful THAT I WAS SOBBING IN THE BATHROOM AT FIVE IN THE MORNING!! How he sees himself hurts so much! No one deserves to undergo all that. I love that the author, through her writing, was able to divert my attention from his looks to the real him.
Based on what I understood of Dante, I honestly think that this blossoming affair between him and Clara could destroy him if everything fell apart. I am hoping for the best that it would have a positive impact on his life instead of a negative one. He’s been through so much, and I want him to be happy.
Most of the other characters of this story were so effective in annoying me. I wanted to tie them up, not for kinks, BUT TO BURN THEM ALL ALIVE! They were so skillful in making Dante’s life miserable and complicated because of their selfishness. Number one on my list is Jasper. He may care for Dante like a brother, but he’s so horrifying in how he deals with things. He’s worse than Happy Meal! Next is Phelia whom I hope gets STDs for being such a leech. The girl wouldn’t take “no” for an answer. I wonder how she ever got out of kindergarten. I would love to enumerate them one by one, but that would just irk me more.
Overall, this is now one of my favorite Student-teacher romances. I highly recommend it! I am now very excited for the sequel! I can’t wait to see how things would progress and develop for the two lovely protagonists. I think I should prepare my heart for further damages.
July 29, 2016
༺**Complimentary Copy**༺ Provided by the author
"Marita A. Hansen" in exchange for an honest review..Thank you!!
TITLE: Broken English
SERIES: (Broken Lives #1)
AUTHOR: Marita A. Hansen
GENRE: Contemporary Romance
CHAPTERS: 29
RELEASE DATE: August 2ND, 2016
MY RATING: 5 STARS
BROKEN ENGLISH: Spoken in 'Dual Perspectives' Dante & Clara, set in the year 2002
We're first introduced to happily married, twenty-four year old Clara, she's returned to her homeland New Zealand after teaching abroad with her husband joining her in a few weeks.
It's her first day teaching English at Wera High School in the shadier district of South Auckland, New Zealand. Stepping out of her car she breaks up a fight between a gang of big unruly boys on school grounds. One getting the licking of his life as he lays cowered on the ground getting the shit kicked out of him. One to the nuts was his undoing.
It didn't pass her notice how good looking he was, the likes of a runway model, if only he wasn't 15
Meet 'Dante Rata' suffering a kick to the nuts from Ronnie aka 'Happy Meal' because he'd successfully gone after his girl.
A beautiful temptation.
And the one day Dante doesn't show his face in Clara's English class his best friend Jasper's reasons as to why is classic. "Dante's sick as a motherfuckin' crack whore with morning sickness."
Every time I looked at hime I felt something I shouldn't. Something illegal.
Often the most confident
and arrogant kids are the most
broken inside.
Dante hasn't had the easiest of times, his upbringing is troubled, you could say he hasn't had the best of role models paving his way to success. He oozes sex appeal, he comes across a lot older than he is, he's crude, he's crass but that's just his overall appeal, add on his runway looks and this boy is lethal to all females with a pulse.
"Fifteen isn't my age,
it's just the years I've spent in this hell hole called earth."
He tapped his head
"I'm older in here, much more than you cos
I've seen and done things no fifteen or even
fifty-year-old has."
Nothing beats picking up a book written by a kiwi, the slang, the humour, it all just feels so kiwi. Love it!!
This book captivated me as soon as I started it, if you think the students dialect is fabricated to the point of it being unbelievable think again, Marita got it so right, this is exactly how many teens talk, it's kiwi slang, we've kind of reinvented our own language that only we can understand..lol
"Marita A. Hansen" in exchange for an honest review..Thank you!!
TITLE: Broken English
SERIES: (Broken Lives #1)
AUTHOR: Marita A. Hansen
GENRE: Contemporary Romance
CHAPTERS: 29
RELEASE DATE: August 2ND, 2016
MY RATING: 5 STARS
BROKEN ENGLISH: Spoken in 'Dual Perspectives' Dante & Clara, set in the year 2002
We're first introduced to happily married, twenty-four year old Clara, she's returned to her homeland New Zealand after teaching abroad with her husband joining her in a few weeks.
It's her first day teaching English at Wera High School in the shadier district of South Auckland, New Zealand. Stepping out of her car she breaks up a fight between a gang of big unruly boys on school grounds. One getting the licking of his life as he lays cowered on the ground getting the shit kicked out of him. One to the nuts was his undoing.
It didn't pass her notice how good looking he was, the likes of a runway model, if only he wasn't 15
Meet 'Dante Rata' suffering a kick to the nuts from Ronnie aka 'Happy Meal' because he'd successfully gone after his girl.
A beautiful temptation.And the one day Dante doesn't show his face in Clara's English class his best friend Jasper's reasons as to why is classic. "Dante's sick as a motherfuckin' crack whore with morning sickness."
Every time I looked at hime I felt something I shouldn't. Something illegal.
Often the most confidentand arrogant kids are the most
broken inside.
Dante hasn't had the easiest of times, his upbringing is troubled, you could say he hasn't had the best of role models paving his way to success. He oozes sex appeal, he comes across a lot older than he is, he's crude, he's crass but that's just his overall appeal, add on his runway looks and this boy is lethal to all females with a pulse.
"Fifteen isn't my age, it's just the years I've spent in this hell hole called earth."
He tapped his head
"I'm older in here, much more than you cos
I've seen and done things no fifteen or even
fifty-year-old has."
Nothing beats picking up a book written by a kiwi, the slang, the humour, it all just feels so kiwi. Love it!!
This book captivated me as soon as I started it, if you think the students dialect is fabricated to the point of it being unbelievable think again, Marita got it so right, this is exactly how many teens talk, it's kiwi slang, we've kind of reinvented our own language that only we can understand..lol
December 11, 2016
4 “sinful temptation” stars
Warning: taboo and conflicted feelings!!!!
I finished this book yesterday evening. Or was it rather this morning as I read late into the night? Anyway my head was swimming it was a jumble of conflicting emotions.
I could not stop reading the book so it had to be good, right? But my problem is I still think what happened was wrong!
And yet….
So I’ll play the Devil’s advocate and argue with myself. Imagine a small angel on my right shoulder and a small devil on my left shoulder each whispering in my ears.
- Devil: Go for it. You know you want it. And he is older than his age. He’s lived such a hard life he is far from an innocent. He is consenting even pursuing you. You’re only twenty four, not forty. He clearly has experience and has you all hot and bothered. He is so gorgeous ”He turned around and sat up, his angry gaze going to mine. I froze, taken aback by his appearance. He was... Beautiful.” He wants you so bad.
- Angel: He’s just a kid that’s been through too many things. He is lost just used to see himself in such a poor way. He sees no future outside the gang using his good look because that’s all people see in him. Never his personality or intelligence. ”People called me dumb, stupid, obnoxious, arrogant, but never clever.” You have to help and protect him. Poor kid he has such huge issues and his arrogance and cockiness serve only to hide what’s behind the façade. ”He had such a conflicting personality, a variety of moods that popped up at any given time, changing from one to the other without warning. “
Now, do you understand why I’m conflicted, torn, lost…about that story?
This is not a “simple” teacher fall in love with student story. The student is only fifteen and he is the pursuer not the teacher. It gives the whole story an interesting and challenging edge.
I did not love Dante in the beginning. Like everyone else I saw him as an arrogant prick with a huge sexual drive. He did things for a living I can’t condone even if I know it’s a matter of survival. His recklessness for all that’s sexual made him hard to take seriously. He is constantly provoking teachers, adults other kids even. He reeks of sensuality.
But he grew on me as I learnt what happened to him and what his upbringing was and still is. For such kids coming from very poor and difficult neighborhood the future is not bright. They fight to survive be it selling drugs, stealing parts or selling their body.
Now I want him to have a happy end but not with his teacher now because he is still jailbait.
Clara was a fantastic teacher and person even with her thoughts about Dante. She is flawed and human. She gave so much to help these kids. She was passionate about her job. Still she shouldn’t have done what she did.
He should have…she shouldn’t have…these are mighty principles but once life is knocking at your door it’s not always easy to remain on the right path.
I may think I would have acted in another fashion I’ve never walked in their shoes thanks God! What would I have done? Would I have been strong enough?
So to make it short: it’s been a very good read that pushed me way out of my comfort zone. I’m left disagreeing with the character’s choices but still waiting impatiently for book two because I have to know what will happen!
Follow me on: http://bewareofthereader.com
Warning: taboo and conflicted feelings!!!!
I finished this book yesterday evening. Or was it rather this morning as I read late into the night? Anyway my head was swimming it was a jumble of conflicting emotions.
I could not stop reading the book so it had to be good, right? But my problem is I still think what happened was wrong!
And yet….
So I’ll play the Devil’s advocate and argue with myself. Imagine a small angel on my right shoulder and a small devil on my left shoulder each whispering in my ears.
- Devil: Go for it. You know you want it. And he is older than his age. He’s lived such a hard life he is far from an innocent. He is consenting even pursuing you. You’re only twenty four, not forty. He clearly has experience and has you all hot and bothered. He is so gorgeous ”He turned around and sat up, his angry gaze going to mine. I froze, taken aback by his appearance. He was... Beautiful.” He wants you so bad.
- Angel: He’s just a kid that’s been through too many things. He is lost just used to see himself in such a poor way. He sees no future outside the gang using his good look because that’s all people see in him. Never his personality or intelligence. ”People called me dumb, stupid, obnoxious, arrogant, but never clever.” You have to help and protect him. Poor kid he has such huge issues and his arrogance and cockiness serve only to hide what’s behind the façade. ”He had such a conflicting personality, a variety of moods that popped up at any given time, changing from one to the other without warning. “
Now, do you understand why I’m conflicted, torn, lost…about that story?
This is not a “simple” teacher fall in love with student story. The student is only fifteen and he is the pursuer not the teacher. It gives the whole story an interesting and challenging edge.
I did not love Dante in the beginning. Like everyone else I saw him as an arrogant prick with a huge sexual drive. He did things for a living I can’t condone even if I know it’s a matter of survival. His recklessness for all that’s sexual made him hard to take seriously. He is constantly provoking teachers, adults other kids even. He reeks of sensuality.
But he grew on me as I learnt what happened to him and what his upbringing was and still is. For such kids coming from very poor and difficult neighborhood the future is not bright. They fight to survive be it selling drugs, stealing parts or selling their body.
Now I want him to have a happy end but not with his teacher now because he is still jailbait.
Clara was a fantastic teacher and person even with her thoughts about Dante. She is flawed and human. She gave so much to help these kids. She was passionate about her job. Still she shouldn’t have done what she did.
He should have…she shouldn’t have…these are mighty principles but once life is knocking at your door it’s not always easy to remain on the right path.
I may think I would have acted in another fashion I’ve never walked in their shoes thanks God! What would I have done? Would I have been strong enough?
So to make it short: it’s been a very good read that pushed me way out of my comfort zone. I’m left disagreeing with the character’s choices but still waiting impatiently for book two because I have to know what will happen!
Follow me on: http://bewareofthereader.com
August 14, 2016
4.5 Stars
Dante Rata is a Maori kid from a tough neighborhood and has a scarred past. Trying to just live his life and survive, he does what he can to help pay his father’s bills. While at 15 years-old Dante has experienced much more loss and tragedy than the average teen and knows his life choices are limited, yet he still has a sense of pride and an enormous heart.
At 24 years old, Clara Hatton is a married English school teacher new to Wera High School. Having just accepted the job, she is learning how to cope with the many at-risk students at the school. Of all the students, Dante stands out the most due to his mature and highly attractive appearance. Learning he is much younger than she originally thought, Clara must deal with her conflicting emotions.
As Clara and Dante live their separate lives, their relationship is barely balanced in the favor of just student and teacher. While Dante is willing to push the boundaries, Clara finds it harder to maintain strictly platonic thoughts despite knowing the consequences of potentially losing her job, marriage and going to jail. Trying to help Dante with tutoring and channeling his energy into school subjects in which he excels, places them in close quarters making temptation irresistible.
While Dante may be beautiful on the outside, his life is rough and his struggles are real and complex, and this adds to the tension of what he really seeks in life. Knowing how he is perceived, only fuels his behavior but Dante hurts deep down.
When starting Broken English, I had some reservations about how I would react to the actions between Clara and Dante, as the student/teacher trope isn’t necessarily my bag, but I was intrigued to read how the story would transpire with the teacher being a woman. There were moments when I was squeamish and wanted Clara to do the right thing yet other times, the lines became blurred. Needless to say, this story is thought provoking on many levels.
This author has been on my radar for some time and her writing style is gripping with a pulse on her characters and a multilayered plot. In addition to Dante and Clara, the secondary characters are colorful and made me wonder who may get their own book at a later date. I look forward (although I anticipate a lot of angst) to the next book in this series to see how the plot is going to unfold. I recommend Broken English to those who want to push their comfort zone to realize the world is simply not black or white at times.
Broken Lives Series:
*An ARC was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Dante Rata is a Maori kid from a tough neighborhood and has a scarred past. Trying to just live his life and survive, he does what he can to help pay his father’s bills. While at 15 years-old Dante has experienced much more loss and tragedy than the average teen and knows his life choices are limited, yet he still has a sense of pride and an enormous heart.
“Appearance was everything where I lived. It wasn’t about fancy labels, it was about putting on a tough front, proving you were worthy of wearing the patch.”
At 24 years old, Clara Hatton is a married English school teacher new to Wera High School. Having just accepted the job, she is learning how to cope with the many at-risk students at the school. Of all the students, Dante stands out the most due to his mature and highly attractive appearance. Learning he is much younger than she originally thought, Clara must deal with her conflicting emotions.
“You’re not a teacher to me; you’re just a hot chick I want to fuck.” His gaze dropped to my breasts. “And by the look of your nipples, you want me to fuck you hard.”
As Clara and Dante live their separate lives, their relationship is barely balanced in the favor of just student and teacher. While Dante is willing to push the boundaries, Clara finds it harder to maintain strictly platonic thoughts despite knowing the consequences of potentially losing her job, marriage and going to jail. Trying to help Dante with tutoring and channeling his energy into school subjects in which he excels, places them in close quarters making temptation irresistible.
“She made me fucking ache like hell, my cock already hard, so fucking hard I wanted to take her right there on the desk.”
While Dante may be beautiful on the outside, his life is rough and his struggles are real and complex, and this adds to the tension of what he really seeks in life. Knowing how he is perceived, only fuels his behavior but Dante hurts deep down.
“For once it would be nice if a woman I wanted touched me.” He looked up at me. “Like you.”
When starting Broken English, I had some reservations about how I would react to the actions between Clara and Dante, as the student/teacher trope isn’t necessarily my bag, but I was intrigued to read how the story would transpire with the teacher being a woman. There were moments when I was squeamish and wanted Clara to do the right thing yet other times, the lines became blurred. Needless to say, this story is thought provoking on many levels.
This author has been on my radar for some time and her writing style is gripping with a pulse on her characters and a multilayered plot. In addition to Dante and Clara, the secondary characters are colorful and made me wonder who may get their own book at a later date. I look forward (although I anticipate a lot of angst) to the next book in this series to see how the plot is going to unfold. I recommend Broken English to those who want to push their comfort zone to realize the world is simply not black or white at times.
Broken Lives Series:
*An ARC was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
February 13, 2017
3* FORBID-den STARS!
Mmy first read from Marita A. Hansen and I was shocked. Literally. This book earns flawless reviews from anyone I know and catch my attention. Unfortunately, it seems I missed 'the warning' or what. I don't know... but I didn't feel this is for me. So here is my rant.
Clara Hatton works as the new English teacher in New Zealand. She just moved from UK and her first day was definitely unforgettable. Her class isn't always easy especially when he's in there. Dante Rata is only fifteen and already a trouble maker. Everybody knows how Dante couldn't sit his ass and almost hate by all teachers except Mrs. Hatton.
Honestly, I still couldn't see the plot. What is the end? What's the purpose of Clara and Dante? Yeah, I'm confused AF. Maybe it is still early because the author said this will be a series, so their journey still unforeseen. Student-teacher's relationship already trending and one of my fave; if they could pull it of. Forbidden and thrilling. BUT, what if the teacher already *beep*? Yeah, that's what happened to me and almost DNF it.
So, the question is what's making me finished the story? First above all, I hate both of them. Clara was pathetic and weak. She was hidden behind i-am-the-teacher attitude and faithful wife at the same time. So hypocrite and I'm really waiting until she exploded. Her pent-up lust for Dante was undeniable.
Dante was the major fucked-up. He's in rebel stage and I don't know how to feel about it. I think hot-headed young age boy just didn't work for me. *cough*I prefer older man*cough*. Still, age was never a problem for me, but Dante's attitude made me wanna back away. I thought he will change at some point but no improvement until the end. So... there is no plus point for Dante.
As I said before, I couldn't see where is this headed but I think the author wanna show us how's Clara-Dante made their bond. Even I doubted it A LOT. They're so in lust and wouldn't care for the world. They're hardly interact outside sexual feelings. I thought they will be spent more times together :(
The story told from 2 POV's, Clara and Dante but it feels like they have their own world. Slow-paced but unpredictable about how fucked-up they will be. I think my rating is fair based on what I feel about Clara-Dante. Everything feels so decent; nothing special yet. I'm curious about what happened next and I hope Dante will be a better man and I need it SOON!
Mmy first read from Marita A. Hansen and I was shocked. Literally. This book earns flawless reviews from anyone I know and catch my attention. Unfortunately, it seems I missed 'the warning' or what. I don't know... but I didn't feel this is for me. So here is my rant.
Clara Hatton works as the new English teacher in New Zealand. She just moved from UK and her first day was definitely unforgettable. Her class isn't always easy especially when he's in there. Dante Rata is only fifteen and already a trouble maker. Everybody knows how Dante couldn't sit his ass and almost hate by all teachers except Mrs. Hatton.
Honestly, I still couldn't see the plot. What is the end? What's the purpose of Clara and Dante? Yeah, I'm confused AF. Maybe it is still early because the author said this will be a series, so their journey still unforeseen. Student-teacher's relationship already trending and one of my fave; if they could pull it of. Forbidden and thrilling. BUT, what if the teacher already *beep*? Yeah, that's what happened to me and almost DNF it.
So, the question is what's making me finished the story? First above all, I hate both of them. Clara was pathetic and weak. She was hidden behind i-am-the-teacher attitude and faithful wife at the same time. So hypocrite and I'm really waiting until she exploded. Her pent-up lust for Dante was undeniable.
Dante was the major fucked-up. He's in rebel stage and I don't know how to feel about it. I think hot-headed young age boy just didn't work for me. *cough*I prefer older man*cough*. Still, age was never a problem for me, but Dante's attitude made me wanna back away. I thought he will change at some point but no improvement until the end. So... there is no plus point for Dante.
As I said before, I couldn't see where is this headed but I think the author wanna show us how's Clara-Dante made their bond. Even I doubted it A LOT. They're so in lust and wouldn't care for the world. They're hardly interact outside sexual feelings. I thought they will be spent more times together :(
The story told from 2 POV's, Clara and Dante but it feels like they have their own world. Slow-paced but unpredictable about how fucked-up they will be. I think my rating is fair based on what I feel about Clara-Dante. Everything feels so decent; nothing special yet. I'm curious about what happened next and I hope Dante will be a better man and I need it SOON!
August 2, 2016
DANTE (Picture swiped from Judith:D)
The words left my mouth again as he licked his upper lip, giving me a blatantly sexual look. He wasn’t the first kid to check me out, but he was the first to make my mouth run dry, the boy far too sensual-looking for my own good.
Yes, the main male character in Broken English is a fifteen-year-old boy called Dante Rata. But Dante isn't like any other kid. He's a mixture of so many different things, a complex character that felt so real, so vulnerable, yet so full of raw sensuality you understood the internal battle his teacher felt every time she came into contact with him.
CLARA, aka MRS. HATTON
Mrs. Hatton/Clara is Dante's English teacher. She's used to boys paying her extra attention, but nothing like the attention she receives from Dante, because he IS different, a taste of something she knows she shouldn't bite into. A temptation that could ruin her.
He was just too attractive, a temptation constantly taunting me, playing with me, ripping my fucking mind apart. Not only did he distract me from my work, he put tainted thoughts into my head that didn’t belong there, ones that I constantly wanted to act upon.
The scene that these thoughts lead to... WOW! WOW! This is definitely one elicit tale, a taboo book that is not like any other teacher-student stories. Not only was the student a male, but the story was done in a realistic, gritty way, not like the usual swoon over teacher stories. It was heart breaking at times, Dante's character eliciting the most emotions. And Clara... I did feel for her. I've read TAMPA, which was basically about a female pedophile. Clara was nothing like Celeste. Like Clara, at times I forgot Dante was fifteen and wanted Clara to give into him, then I would remember he wasn't how old he looked and thought, no stop, don't do it. The story will confuse you, create emotions you'll question. I have read a lot of this author's books and I think this might just be my favourite, and that's saying a lot since I do love Behind the Tears and Behind the Lens a lot, which Dante is also in. I just like that this is in first person, which made it more intimate, more touching, the story very different, not what I expected at all.
5 triple plus Clara and Dante stars.
The words left my mouth again as he licked his upper lip, giving me a blatantly sexual look. He wasn’t the first kid to check me out, but he was the first to make my mouth run dry, the boy far too sensual-looking for my own good.
Yes, the main male character in Broken English is a fifteen-year-old boy called Dante Rata. But Dante isn't like any other kid. He's a mixture of so many different things, a complex character that felt so real, so vulnerable, yet so full of raw sensuality you understood the internal battle his teacher felt every time she came into contact with him.
CLARA, aka MRS. HATTON
Mrs. Hatton/Clara is Dante's English teacher. She's used to boys paying her extra attention, but nothing like the attention she receives from Dante, because he IS different, a taste of something she knows she shouldn't bite into. A temptation that could ruin her.
He was just too attractive, a temptation constantly taunting me, playing with me, ripping my fucking mind apart. Not only did he distract me from my work, he put tainted thoughts into my head that didn’t belong there, ones that I constantly wanted to act upon.
The scene that these thoughts lead to... WOW! WOW! This is definitely one elicit tale, a taboo book that is not like any other teacher-student stories. Not only was the student a male, but the story was done in a realistic, gritty way, not like the usual swoon over teacher stories. It was heart breaking at times, Dante's character eliciting the most emotions. And Clara... I did feel for her. I've read TAMPA, which was basically about a female pedophile. Clara was nothing like Celeste. Like Clara, at times I forgot Dante was fifteen and wanted Clara to give into him, then I would remember he wasn't how old he looked and thought, no stop, don't do it. The story will confuse you, create emotions you'll question. I have read a lot of this author's books and I think this might just be my favourite, and that's saying a lot since I do love Behind the Tears and Behind the Lens a lot, which Dante is also in. I just like that this is in first person, which made it more intimate, more touching, the story very different, not what I expected at all.
5 triple plus Clara and Dante stars.
February 8, 2017
4.5 Stars
Dante *swoon* he was equal parts sexy and insecure; it was a devastating combination. There were parts of the book I couldn't decide if I wanted to jump his bones or hug him and protect him from all the shit in his life. His circumstances forced him to mature beyond his years which added an extra dimension of moral conflict; he seemed older than he was but does that, or should it, affect the way Clara viewed him?
**I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review
Dante *swoon* he was equal parts sexy and insecure; it was a devastating combination. There were parts of the book I couldn't decide if I wanted to jump his bones or hug him and protect him from all the shit in his life. His circumstances forced him to mature beyond his years which added an extra dimension of moral conflict; he seemed older than he was but does that, or should it, affect the way Clara viewed him?
He was just too attractive, a temptation constantly taunting me, playing with me, ripping my fucking mind apart.Clara has just moved back to New Zealand and got a job as an English teacher in a rough part of town, she’s prepared for the new colleagues she’ll have to feel out, the snarky kids, and the disobedience she’ll no doubt encounter, however, she is in no way prepared for a student like Dante Rata. Dante poses a threat to her job, to her marriage, to her sanity, and maybe to her heart; he has this innate ability to evoke compassion from those around him.
Dante Rata is an old 15 year old. He’s been through his share of trials and tribulations and he continues to persevere. His life has been anything but easy, and surviving under these circumstances has led Dante to do some questionable things. The rumors run rampant about what he does or doesn’t do to keep himself afloat. His very active sex life does nothing to dampen the rumor mill. He’s got more sex appeal than anyone under the age of eighteen should ever be granted.
This story was really enjoyable, I loved how complex Dante was and Clara’s feelings toward him were equally as complex and I really loved that each character had other things going on throughout the story. Clara was still navigating a new school, and new living arrangements and Dante was still trying to make it day-to-day; they each had other story lines going that kept me engaged even when Dante and Clara’s interactions weren’t taking center stage.
I like it when you smile. It lights your whole face up. You look so gorgeous.Clara and Dante’s story is all consuming. I was glued to the pages, taking every step with these characters. Dante stole my heart from the beginning he was so confident and charming but when you got a glimpse inside his head you realized how vulnerable he was. This is not a fast and quick teacher/student, there's a delicious buildup of tension before we even get a hint of sexy times. Definitely check this out if you’re not afraid of a little taboo. You may want to have your kiwi translator at the ready, I had to look up a few words!
**I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review
November 25, 2016
Dante Rata a 15-year old boy who grew up fast due to life’s experiences. A troubled kid to everyone… a drug dealer trying to make ends meet… a walking sex-on-a-stick kind of appeal to woman(both young & old)… a talented guy with a great singing voice and good in poetry. This young man is deep, beyond his years and he like his new English teacher.
Clara Hatton is happy that finally she's going to be a full time teacher; little did she know that she’ll be assigned to a rowdy group of student, it’s like all the “rejects” are gathered together in her class. But Clara won’t allow to be intimidated by these students. She had to let them know that she’s in charge and they’ll have to listen to her. Listen they did, well, some of them, but one particular student is always challenging her patience, Dante. The moment Clara laid eyes on Dante there's an instant attraction, but she must dismiss it because it’s wrong, besides being a teacher to him, she’s married. Will she be able to suppress her feeling towards Dante?
This book gave me the feel of a great series in the making. The characters are raw… the pacing is good… the plot is well defined. I also enjoyed reading about the relationship of Dante & Clara to their family.
Marita A. Hansen is a new author to me and she didn’t disappoint in writing a good story and I'm looking forward to the next book of this series and excited to see what will happens next.
April 3, 2017
Wow this book. I've read all the awesome and raving reviews of my friends and ofcourse I didn't want to be left behind on this one. I just didn't really know what to expect. I figured I was gonna get a teacher-student/ forbidden love story, but this was so much more than that !!
I don't want to say to much about the storyline, because I think it's best going into this one blind without any spoilers. I will give a little bit of info though...
Clara is 24, married and starting a new job as an English lit teacher. She recently moved back to New Zealand after having spend time in England for a job. Her new job is not all that she expected it to be. The kids, especially the ones in her 11th grade class, are not the easiest of students. But one student in particular catches her eye......which is not really such a good thing, since this student is only 15 years old.
Meet Dante ;)
Dante is a 15 year old student, but because of the life he has led so far, seems way older. He's very sexual, rude and has some anger issues... His father is in a gang and he's growing up around, sex, drugs and crime...
Dante is also very attracted to his new English teacher and he has no problems showing her how he feels....
Clara ofcourse knows how wrong it is to be attracted to a 15 year old boy, even if the boy has more life experience than most grown men. She does her very best to resist his sexual charm....but how far can someone be pushed before they brake....and Dante sure loves pushing all her buttons :)
I devowered this book and it pisses me off that we're left with a cliffhanger. I can't wait to read what's gonna happen next.
I do have to say that it was very hard not picturing Michelle Pfeiffer in the movie "Dangerous Minds" while reading this one, with Coolio playing in the background :D
I loved that movie !!!
December 4, 2016
I'm gonna lose my freaking mind. That end. :-\
Can't wait to read 2nd book...
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Can't wait to read 2nd book...
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September 27, 2016
FIVE BILLION Broken Stars!
“As long as I can spell marijuana, coke, and heroin, I’m sure my future,” he made quote marks with his fingers, “profession is safe. It’s the only reason I pay attention in Science. Now that’s a subject worth doin’.”
Dante Rata is a force. Nothing about him was small. He came in like a tsunami and the turbulent effect is still rocking me to this core even though it’s been a few weeks since I’ve read this. From the moment I met him, I was smiling, waiting impatiently for the forbidden things to spill across the book. I was prepared for an overtly cocky teenager who was just looking to fuck the new hot teacher; I wanted to read about Dante taking the teacher on her desk, wanted to read about her tutoring him only to get distracted with the anatomy :) There was just something about Dante that bled sex and he didn’t act his age for me to see it as a sin at times (which honestly, I picked up the book because of the age so I don’t see the wrong to begin with lol.) I was prepared for him to somewhere along the road fell in love eventually and allow it to turn into a battle of “them” against the world… or some shit like that.
What I wasn't prepared for was to get so much more from this read.
Danta was a beautiful person, inside and out. Situations where people lose out simply because of where they are/live really affects the person negatively, whether it slithers up over a period of time or they just allow it to happen because of their self-worth. Danta struggled throughout the book with that. I went in ignorant with this book and felt Danta would be accepting, but he was anything but... His depth was so deep once couldn't help but get affect as they go deeper along with him. Everything that made him who he is now is both aww-ing but tragic at the same time. I didn't want what was being hinted to be true, but the truth came out and it was heartbreaking.
Danta had his issues. When it was mentioned he was bi-polar, I started seeing the little hints and... I don't know. Just wow. This read was emotional just as much as it was sexually entertaining (or rather frustrating lmao).
"Fifteen isn't my age, it's just the years I've spent in this hellhole called earth.""
His words couldn't have been more truer. The decisions he had to make, or the things he did. Ugh, I was disgusted, yet amazed at the extent he'd go to just do something. He really cares for his family, but his shame got him constantly running. It's a fucked up cycle and as much as the attraction between his teacher should be wrong (I'm forever gonna be a age-difference whore...I think o_o), I loved the distraction she brought and how she made him feel in general. She was patient and understanding.
Most times, their interaction reminded me of a bickering couple, a couple in general. He was a man through and through with her, and she felt the effect each time. From the way he talk to her, the way he watched her?
And she was anything but unaffected.
I mean, fuck even I was unaffected. I would only remember his age if it was mentioned - that's how far beyond his age he was in everything.
How much more Danta was whenever he got disgusted to things you'd think he would accept. My heart still breaks for him each time I think about this book, and even when I'm browsing through the read again (yup, its that fucking awesome) I find myself simply feeling.
"I like women, not girls. I like lower hanging tits, not things so tight I can't get stuck into em. I like chicks who know how to suck cock, not ones who bat their eyelashes at me, asking me if I like it like that. I also love chicks who don't cut off my dick's air supply with pussies so tight I feel like I'm squeezing it through a pinhole.
He speaks his mind.
Clara Hatton was never mistaken about who Danta was, what he was about or what he wanted. Even if he was fucking around with her. Even though she was older, and might I add married, Danta still had the alpha feel over her. The way she caved to him at times, or the way she thought about him. My word - I swear I was switching bodies each time I read their piece, because everything about this book was fucking intense. And it's not even about the sexual feel of it alone - so much fucking more. The issues with her dad, her husband who seems so nice and... I don't even remember the dude unless he is mentioned. I'm actually really eager to see how it'll all play out.
What I love about this book mostly was the struggle. Even though I'm saying it after I finished it, I was appreciative of it all the same. Clara was always aware of her husband, but she was always honest (silently) about her attraction. Though I don't think she hid it well - Not when it comes to Danta's perceptiveness atleast.
Then stop eyeballing me like you wanna ride my cock,” I said. “You were doin’ it all through English class.”
“I was not!”
“Liar. You even did it during detention.”
And he always enjoyed egging her on about it.
I'm surprisingly not gonna say anything concrete in my ramble but I will say that if you're looking for a quick read where the teacher and student fuck, where the attraction is instant to the point of no self-restraint, then go somewhere else for a read.
But dive into this book to get more. Bask in the issues that Danta is going through - issues that breaks your heart yet makes you feel a burst of pride for his unknown strength. Read this to really get to know the characters as if they were standing next to you even though you're unable to remotely help them.
I'm cheering for both of them, separately and together. And I can't wait for November to roll around *_* Even though I have a feeling my whole being with shatter after the read - fuck I'm already broken. So the last read better piece me back together lol. (I'm fucking corny, deal with it lmao)
Fear Shame Lust Need Pleasure Want
This book has it all.
“As long as I can spell marijuana, coke, and heroin, I’m sure my future,” he made quote marks with his fingers, “profession is safe. It’s the only reason I pay attention in Science. Now that’s a subject worth doin’.”
Dante Rata is a force. Nothing about him was small. He came in like a tsunami and the turbulent effect is still rocking me to this core even though it’s been a few weeks since I’ve read this. From the moment I met him, I was smiling, waiting impatiently for the forbidden things to spill across the book. I was prepared for an overtly cocky teenager who was just looking to fuck the new hot teacher; I wanted to read about Dante taking the teacher on her desk, wanted to read about her tutoring him only to get distracted with the anatomy :) There was just something about Dante that bled sex and he didn’t act his age for me to see it as a sin at times (which honestly, I picked up the book because of the age so I don’t see the wrong to begin with lol.) I was prepared for him to somewhere along the road fell in love eventually and allow it to turn into a battle of “them” against the world… or some shit like that.
What I wasn't prepared for was to get so much more from this read.
Danta was a beautiful person, inside and out. Situations where people lose out simply because of where they are/live really affects the person negatively, whether it slithers up over a period of time or they just allow it to happen because of their self-worth. Danta struggled throughout the book with that. I went in ignorant with this book and felt Danta would be accepting, but he was anything but... His depth was so deep once couldn't help but get affect as they go deeper along with him. Everything that made him who he is now is both aww-ing but tragic at the same time. I didn't want what was being hinted to be true, but the truth came out and it was heartbreaking.
Danta had his issues. When it was mentioned he was bi-polar, I started seeing the little hints and... I don't know. Just wow. This read was emotional just as much as it was sexually entertaining (or rather frustrating lmao).
"Fifteen isn't my age, it's just the years I've spent in this hellhole called earth.""
His words couldn't have been more truer. The decisions he had to make, or the things he did. Ugh, I was disgusted, yet amazed at the extent he'd go to just do something. He really cares for his family, but his shame got him constantly running. It's a fucked up cycle and as much as the attraction between his teacher should be wrong (I'm forever gonna be a age-difference whore...I think o_o), I loved the distraction she brought and how she made him feel in general. She was patient and understanding.
Most times, their interaction reminded me of a bickering couple, a couple in general. He was a man through and through with her, and she felt the effect each time. From the way he talk to her, the way he watched her?
And she was anything but unaffected.
I mean, fuck even I was unaffected. I would only remember his age if it was mentioned - that's how far beyond his age he was in everything.
How much more Danta was whenever he got disgusted to things you'd think he would accept. My heart still breaks for him each time I think about this book, and even when I'm browsing through the read again (yup, its that fucking awesome) I find myself simply feeling.
"I like women, not girls. I like lower hanging tits, not things so tight I can't get stuck into em. I like chicks who know how to suck cock, not ones who bat their eyelashes at me, asking me if I like it like that. I also love chicks who don't cut off my dick's air supply with pussies so tight I feel like I'm squeezing it through a pinhole.
He speaks his mind.
Clara Hatton was never mistaken about who Danta was, what he was about or what he wanted. Even if he was fucking around with her. Even though she was older, and might I add married, Danta still had the alpha feel over her. The way she caved to him at times, or the way she thought about him. My word - I swear I was switching bodies each time I read their piece, because everything about this book was fucking intense. And it's not even about the sexual feel of it alone - so much fucking more. The issues with her dad, her husband who seems so nice and... I don't even remember the dude unless he is mentioned. I'm actually really eager to see how it'll all play out.
What I love about this book mostly was the struggle. Even though I'm saying it after I finished it, I was appreciative of it all the same. Clara was always aware of her husband, but she was always honest (silently) about her attraction. Though I don't think she hid it well - Not when it comes to Danta's perceptiveness atleast.
Then stop eyeballing me like you wanna ride my cock,” I said. “You were doin’ it all through English class.”
“I was not!”
“Liar. You even did it during detention.”
And he always enjoyed egging her on about it.
I'm surprisingly not gonna say anything concrete in my ramble but I will say that if you're looking for a quick read where the teacher and student fuck, where the attraction is instant to the point of no self-restraint, then go somewhere else for a read.
But dive into this book to get more. Bask in the issues that Danta is going through - issues that breaks your heart yet makes you feel a burst of pride for his unknown strength. Read this to really get to know the characters as if they were standing next to you even though you're unable to remotely help them.
I'm cheering for both of them, separately and together. And I can't wait for November to roll around *_* Even though I have a feeling my whole being with shatter after the read - fuck I'm already broken. So the last read better piece me back together lol. (I'm fucking corny, deal with it lmao)
Fear Shame Lust Need Pleasure Want
This book has it all.
July 17, 2016
***FIVE STARS***
After reading the blurb for this story, I figured this would just be one of those smokin' hot stories where the teacher and student find themselves drawn to each other, and then they slowly begin to carry on a forbidden affair. This story was so much more than what I had imagined. Broken English felt completely realistic and believable in every way. I really felt for the boy in this story and the difficult life he'd been dealt.
DANTE
Fifteen year old Dante comes from a horribly rough family background, his family being involved with gang violence and always living on the wrong side of the law. Dante's family has struggled for money, and Dante's had to work to get it in any way possible, drugs, stealing, etc. The only thing that ever made Dante's life a little easier, are his gorgeous looks. Girls (as well as grown women) are drawn to him like magnets. He's delved into sex at a very early age, and experienced plenty of it, as girls want any kind of attention they can get from this beautiful hoodlum, and with his filthy talking ways and his sexual prowess, girls cannot seem to say no to him. But there's more to Dante than people know. He's got his own demons he's had to fight.
CLARA
Clara is a new teacher who is introduced to Dante on her first day, witnessing a brutal beating of Dante by three other classmates. Dante is adamant that he does not want or NEED Clara's help, but Clara tries to help anyhow, by involving the principal in Dante's altercation. This action puts Clara right in Dante line of sight. He wants payback for her involving the principal, but he's also noticed how pretty Clara is, and now he's focused on a piece of that action action as well.
This storyline above is just a small part of the main story of Dante's and Clara's lives though. There's so much more going on in the background of these characters, making the story suck you in from the very first second, and unable to put the story down until it's finished. There's a lot of stress and brutality in this young man's life that he endures, and it's heartbreaking witnessing what he has to go through. Really put into perspective, how easy I had it when I was in school.
This story has a bit of a shocking ending, and we are left off waiting for the sequel to come out. I'm hoping and praying it comes out quickly, as I'm dying to know what these characters have in store for them in their futures.
October 13, 2019
Whoa! I LOVED THIS BOOK! For some reason, I have been liking the teacher/student storylines and this one was no exception. I'm fact, it may be my favorite (although The Unrequited was my favorite book of 2017, but still). Even though there is virtually NO hanky panky the chemistry between teacher Clara and her student Dante was smokin hot! I couldn't read it fast enough.
"I wanted to kiss those full lips of his, taste the liquor on them, to get drunk on him, the boy intoxicating.
Clara, the teacher,
"He remained where he was, looking unsure of what to do. His eyes were dark pools of emotion, giving me the impression he was holding back tears. It made my heart ache for him.”
Dante, the student,
I like the way the first two books are of their high school years and the last two are their adult years, the aftermath. Now that I'm finished Broken English I'm diving directly into Shattered Poetry. Especially, after the way it ended!!! Amazing!
"I wanted to kiss those full lips of his, taste the liquor on them, to get drunk on him, the boy intoxicating.
Clara, the teacher,
"He remained where he was, looking unsure of what to do. His eyes were dark pools of emotion, giving me the impression he was holding back tears. It made my heart ache for him.”
Dante, the student,
I like the way the first two books are of their high school years and the last two are their adult years, the aftermath. Now that I'm finished Broken English I'm diving directly into Shattered Poetry. Especially, after the way it ended!!! Amazing!
February 5, 2023
I love May/December.
I've loved young broken heroes and their older partners.
This plot has been done before, and I've enjoyed the good ones.
But this woman's ass needs to be in jail.
Its actually all there in the blurb, really:
"I don’t know where it came from, but as far back as I can remember, I had always associated the name Dante with a beautiful and sexy man...…….Little did I know that the Dante that walked into my life...…….he wasn’t a man. He was a fifteen-year-old boy………."
She's not uninformed nor ignorant.
She is aware and knowledgeable about the legal and moral issues of an adult (in a position of power, no less) knowingly having an inappropriate relationship with a minor.
And this hero is a child.
He's perfect for a New Adult story with a worthy heroine.
He's an underaged boy who has his whole life been at the mercy of other adults.
Now someone else who could be his savior, is abusing that privilege. Again.
His life experience does not make him an adult.
His beautiful looks and mature physique do not make him an adult.
His idiolect (for lack of a better word) and dogged attempts at pushing boundaries do not make him an adult.
He acts like a child; he thinks like a child.
His heroine should not be a shady-behind-the-scenes married woman 9 years his senior.
If its the author's intention to portray her as a predator who tries but fails, to resist the sexual pull to a young boy, then kudus to the author. That's my one star right there.
If not, then its a sad state of affairs because she doesn't try hard enough to resist him.
She doesn't remove herself from the situation. She has the means to do so but she choses not to.
She fails herself as a woman, the child as his teacher, her marriage vows and her husband.
And no matter how much I would want to romanticise this particular story, this is pure kink without the romance.
Done correctly, I enjoy that trope.
Taboo done correctly = thrilling.
Forbidden done correctly is scintillating.
And just like I'm drawn to those storylines, other readers are going to enjoy this because it works for them.
My favorite 4 star in this trope:
The Younger Man
3 star:
Beard in Mind
MILF: Wrong Kind of Love
On the Island
I've loved young broken heroes and their older partners.
This plot has been done before, and I've enjoyed the good ones.
But this woman's ass needs to be in jail.
Its actually all there in the blurb, really:
"I don’t know where it came from, but as far back as I can remember, I had always associated the name Dante with a beautiful and sexy man...…….Little did I know that the Dante that walked into my life...…….he wasn’t a man. He was a fifteen-year-old boy………."
She's not uninformed nor ignorant.
She is aware and knowledgeable about the legal and moral issues of an adult (in a position of power, no less) knowingly having an inappropriate relationship with a minor.
And this hero is a child.
He's perfect for a New Adult story with a worthy heroine.
He's an underaged boy who has his whole life been at the mercy of other adults.
Now someone else who could be his savior, is abusing that privilege. Again.
His life experience does not make him an adult.
His beautiful looks and mature physique do not make him an adult.
His idiolect (for lack of a better word) and dogged attempts at pushing boundaries do not make him an adult.
He acts like a child; he thinks like a child.
His heroine should not be a shady-behind-the-scenes married woman 9 years his senior.
If its the author's intention to portray her as a predator who tries but fails, to resist the sexual pull to a young boy, then kudus to the author. That's my one star right there.
If not, then its a sad state of affairs because she doesn't try hard enough to resist him.
She doesn't remove herself from the situation. She has the means to do so but she choses not to.
She fails herself as a woman, the child as his teacher, her marriage vows and her husband.
And no matter how much I would want to romanticise this particular story, this is pure kink without the romance.
Done correctly, I enjoy that trope.
Taboo done correctly = thrilling.
Forbidden done correctly is scintillating.
And just like I'm drawn to those storylines, other readers are going to enjoy this because it works for them.
My favorite 4 star in this trope:
The Younger Man
3 star:
Beard in Mind
MILF: Wrong Kind of Love
On the Island
June 13, 2017
4 'Sinful' Stars!
Clara Hatton is a 24 year-old teacher. She recently moved from England to teach a lower socioeconomic school in Auckland. Her career goal was to make a difference in the most problematic students that were always told they couldn't do it. She thought she could do it, until she meet the most problematic of all, Dante.
Dante Rata is a fifteen year-old bad boy. He not only has a broken home but a broken soul too. Life made him grow up too fast.
“Fifteen isn't my age, it's just the years I've spent in this hellhole called earth.”
Everybody wants a piece of Dante. Not only do women want to be with him but men want to kill him. He was such a troublemaker, with a mouth and sexuality that no 25 year-old would even have. But deep down he carries the pieces of his shattered soul. He doesn't trust or let anyone in. He broke my heart every time he showcased his brokenness.
Clara no doubt was attracted to this beautiful, troubled yet broken kid. She couldn't help what she was feeling towards him.
She also protected him when no one else would. She lived in a constant battle of guilt because she knew it was so wrong to want something so right.
I must admit this book shocked me. I went into this book mostly out of curiosity on how the author was going to handle everything. Might I say she did a pretty outstanding job. This book does end in a cliffhanger and has 4 parts. Three parts are out already while part 4 will be published in 2018. Overall, I totally recommend this series.
I glanced back at the teacher, thinking she was hot as fuck.
Clara Hatton is a 24 year-old teacher. She recently moved from England to teach a lower socioeconomic school in Auckland. Her career goal was to make a difference in the most problematic students that were always told they couldn't do it. She thought she could do it, until she meet the most problematic of all, Dante.
Dante Rata is a fifteen year-old bad boy. He not only has a broken home but a broken soul too. Life made him grow up too fast.
“Fifteen isn't my age, it's just the years I've spent in this hellhole called earth.”
Everybody wants a piece of Dante. Not only do women want to be with him but men want to kill him. He was such a troublemaker, with a mouth and sexuality that no 25 year-old would even have. But deep down he carries the pieces of his shattered soul. He doesn't trust or let anyone in. He broke my heart every time he showcased his brokenness.
Clara no doubt was attracted to this beautiful, troubled yet broken kid. She couldn't help what she was feeling towards him.
She also protected him when no one else would. She lived in a constant battle of guilt because she knew it was so wrong to want something so right.
I must admit this book shocked me. I went into this book mostly out of curiosity on how the author was going to handle everything. Might I say she did a pretty outstanding job. This book does end in a cliffhanger and has 4 parts. Three parts are out already while part 4 will be published in 2018. Overall, I totally recommend this series.
I glanced back at the teacher, thinking she was hot as fuck.
August 7, 2016
4.5 stars !
Fifteen isn't my age, it's just the years I've spent in this hellhole called earth." He taped his head. "I'm older in here, much more than you, cos I've seen and done things no fifteen or even fifty-year-old has. Age is just a number, so stop lettin' it get in the way of what you want. And I know you want me. It couldn't be more obvious."
Its been 4 days since I've finished reading this book . 4 days worth of time that I've given myself to ponder on how wrong this story was on soo many different levels . But let me be honest here , 4 days ..and the only thing I've done in those is think about how I couldn't stop thinking about this book .
Broken English is just not the story of a fifteen year old Dante falling in lust with 24 year english teacher Clara . Nope , its sooo much more than that . Its about a boy who lives a life filled with things that he doesn't understand . Feelings he cant comprehend . And emotions he cant talk about .
Dante is clearly something else entirely . He is confused about what he feels . Humor ( the dirty kind ) is his coping mechanism for everything . He hides behind constant asshole-ism and lives his life like everyday is his last . Clara was clearly confused as well . Her feelings for Dante playing havoc on her mind on a regualr basis . I loved the scenes they had together . And can I say they were hot as fuck !
Waiting on pins and needles for the next book !
Fifteen isn't my age, it's just the years I've spent in this hellhole called earth." He taped his head. "I'm older in here, much more than you, cos I've seen and done things no fifteen or even fifty-year-old has. Age is just a number, so stop lettin' it get in the way of what you want. And I know you want me. It couldn't be more obvious."
Its been 4 days since I've finished reading this book . 4 days worth of time that I've given myself to ponder on how wrong this story was on soo many different levels . But let me be honest here , 4 days ..and the only thing I've done in those is think about how I couldn't stop thinking about this book .
Broken English is just not the story of a fifteen year old Dante falling in lust with 24 year english teacher Clara . Nope , its sooo much more than that . Its about a boy who lives a life filled with things that he doesn't understand . Feelings he cant comprehend . And emotions he cant talk about .
Dante is clearly something else entirely . He is confused about what he feels . Humor ( the dirty kind ) is his coping mechanism for everything . He hides behind constant asshole-ism and lives his life like everyday is his last . Clara was clearly confused as well . Her feelings for Dante playing havoc on her mind on a regualr basis . I loved the scenes they had together . And can I say they were hot as fuck !
Waiting on pins and needles for the next book !
October 21, 2016
**yay!! got my arc!! thank you marita!! <3**
Damn, that ending. Just be warned guys, IS IS a cliffy!! But definitely one that will have me continuing on with this series.
Those of you who keep up with my reviews and observe the kind of books I like to read will be well aware that I love love, taboo/ forbidden kinds of reads and Broken English fit that description to a T.
I've read a couple of Marita A. Hansen's books before and so far this is the biggest guilty pleasure I've had the honor of reading. Bring on bk2!
Damn, that ending. Just be warned guys, IS IS a cliffy!! But definitely one that will have me continuing on with this series.
Those of you who keep up with my reviews and observe the kind of books I like to read will be well aware that I love love, taboo/ forbidden kinds of reads and Broken English fit that description to a T.
I've read a couple of Marita A. Hansen's books before and so far this is the biggest guilty pleasure I've had the honor of reading. Bring on bk2!
November 7, 2016
Marita Hansen i missed youre books realy bad and this one is the reoson why, just epic
August 14, 2016
Fear
Shame
Lust
Need
Pleasure
WANT
Temptation is the fire that brings up the scum of the heart
Wera High............... is a high school in a lower social area in New Zealand and Clara is their new English teacher.
Clara is under no illusion that this will be a challenging position but she loves English and is keen to form a relationship with her pupils.
Dante a pupil from one of the worse neighbourhoods attends Clara's class. With his cocky attitude and physique of a man Clara finds herself distracted by him. But at the same time she wants to help him achieve something in her class but its not going to be easy as Dante is mixed up with all sorts of unsavoury things and he's becoming a much harder individual to help.
Underneath this farce Dante has another side a softer side that Clara seems to bring out but by doing this is she putting herself in the hands of temptation and therefore enters the forbidden road of no return.
I'm a fan of Marita A. Hansen and I loved her Behind series. Her stories are real life and she writes with feeling.
Dante is a character that has a tortured soul, he tries to get out of situations but is drawn back time and time again. You need to get pass the crudeness and forwardness to really see the real person.
Clara wants so much to help him but she is also attracted to him, she knows its wrong.
This is much more than a teacher, pupil story. Although Dante is very young, a boy in a man's body. Clara sees him as much older, she reassures herself that she is only in her earlier twenties and she knows she must not cross that line.
It's a story of lust and taboo, but the author writes it in a way thats realistic. At times I found the story a touch YA but as the subject was about young adults she hit the nail on the head.
It was a different take on a teacher and pupil story and if you like those type of stories you will love this.
Shame
Lust
Need
Pleasure
WANT
Temptation is the fire that brings up the scum of the heart
Wera High............... is a high school in a lower social area in New Zealand and Clara is their new English teacher.
Clara is under no illusion that this will be a challenging position but she loves English and is keen to form a relationship with her pupils.
Dante a pupil from one of the worse neighbourhoods attends Clara's class. With his cocky attitude and physique of a man Clara finds herself distracted by him. But at the same time she wants to help him achieve something in her class but its not going to be easy as Dante is mixed up with all sorts of unsavoury things and he's becoming a much harder individual to help.
Underneath this farce Dante has another side a softer side that Clara seems to bring out but by doing this is she putting herself in the hands of temptation and therefore enters the forbidden road of no return.
I'm a fan of Marita A. Hansen and I loved her Behind series. Her stories are real life and she writes with feeling.
Dante is a character that has a tortured soul, he tries to get out of situations but is drawn back time and time again. You need to get pass the crudeness and forwardness to really see the real person.
Clara wants so much to help him but she is also attracted to him, she knows its wrong.
This is much more than a teacher, pupil story. Although Dante is very young, a boy in a man's body. Clara sees him as much older, she reassures herself that she is only in her earlier twenties and she knows she must not cross that line.
It's a story of lust and taboo, but the author writes it in a way thats realistic. At times I found the story a touch YA but as the subject was about young adults she hit the nail on the head.
It was a different take on a teacher and pupil story and if you like those type of stories you will love this.
August 14, 2017
Author not for me.
August 4, 2016
You read that tag correctly....mental fucking illness. I'll get to that later.
Y'all....I came into work early to write this review because I have opinions. Broken English confused me and I'm not sure where to go from here so I'll just empty my thoughts. **Spoilery-ish**
-Clara was a fucking idiot. Seriously. I would borderline describe Clara as a Sociopath. Her lack of conscience when it came to her attraction to Dante was alarming to me. I get the oogies reading about people who are attracted to kids - because yes, Dante was a fucking kid. He is fifteen for fucks sake, and even though he is "experienced" does not give her the right to act upon her attraction. That shit does not fly in the real world. But...this is a book so I digress. Let me just give you a few reasons why I think Clara is a Sociopath:
Maybe it was because every time I looked at him I felt something I shouldn't. Something illegal.
Why yes, Clara, it is fucking illegal....because he is a minor.
But when I started imagining him getting blown, I quickly went and had a cold shower, my dirty mind taking me places I knew I couldn't go. Though, in all truth he didn't look his age - he truly didn't.
That makes it SO much better then."Judge, I swear I thought it was okay to fuck my 15 year old student because he doesn't look his real age" - eye roll-
...fifteen. I repeated the number in my head, using it to force some sense into me, my attraction to him now getting on my nerves.
Its getting on my nerves too Clara.
Here I was, a married woman, thinking about a fifteen-year-old boy in such a lurid fashion.
That list goes on and on...I think I highlighted at least 20 sentences like that. Most of the time Clara actually has the balls to blame Dante for her attraction. She blames his sex appeal, his "flirty attitude" and his "sexual" remarks towards her. Well let me tell you Clara - Dante is a fifteen year old horny highschooler, of-fucking-course he is going to act that way. That does not give you the right as a person of power to abuse that trust with a student. Fuck that. On top of that you're fucking married...so close your legs to underage kids. Please.
Whew...I think my rant is over :) All that being said... I kind of liked this book. The fact that I stayed past the end of work and stayed up late to finish it speaks volumes. While my hatred of Clara almost threatened the life of my Kindle...I think what made the book was Dante. His struggles, his hurt and his lease on life had me almost in tears at some points. He had real shit going on and I would have LOVED to have just read a book about him and the drama he goes through.
If not for Dante I would not have liked this book. Plain and simple. I am very interested to read the second book to see what the said "consequences" are - because I would honestly be happy if Dante and her husband told Clara to fuck off. :)
On to the next!
October 18, 2016
“Humans are savages, no worse than animals, preying on the weak and vulnerable for their own gain.”
~ Dante
Just that this book was taboo was all I needed to know to sign up myself for a reading. I really don’t know much anything other than when I started reading the pages and be immersed into a world unknown with a lot of underlying issues and topics. My favorite.
“For once it would be nice if a woman I wanted touched me.”
He looked up at me.
“Like you.”
Dante is an enigma. He is this student that doesn’t give a damn to the people around him but that deep inside, he also does. Sometimes he thinks way beyond his age, and sometimes he’s just like a little boy, vulnerable and breakable.
Clara was prim and proper and all about appearances. There’s just something deep seated within her that wanted to help everyone she thinks needs her help. She’s also kind of meek.
“Then stop eyeballing me like you wanna ride my cock,” I said. “You were doin’ it all through English class.”
“I was not!”
“Liar. You even did it during detention.”
This is a book that isn’t for the faint-hearted. It centers about morality and what is right and wrong. Of what should be done and what must be done. About appearances and society and relationships. It is vulgar and touch on a subject that is immoral and yet something that couldn’t be denied as it happens in reality. It makes you question your ideals of whether you approve of what might be and or destroy a family.
This book has left me without thoughts but a craving of where everything might lead.
“I kept her secret, like I’ll keep yours, no matter how much you both make me feel like a worthless piece of shit.”
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August 18, 2016
The blurb intrigued and hooked me and I'm happy to say the book did not disappoint it had me enthralled from the get. I'll be awaiting the release of the sequel.
Copy provided by author in exchange for a honest review
Copy provided by author in exchange for a honest review
March 27, 2018
And the consequences began....
Broken English, a story that I do not know what to think or feel about. It was equally confusing, shocking and appealing to me. I do love to read about taboos but this, more than forbidden romance, with a triple taboo (1. teacher/student, 2. underage, 3. cheating), was a difficult one for me. I'm glad it was fiction although I do wonder if this happens in RL.
I do think the book had a lot of uninteresting trivia and took the pace of out the story. I also did not care for the OTT violence between the young kids and the fact that Dante was very much left to tend for himself, despite having a father who seems to love him.
Throughout the book Dante takes advantage of his very good looks and has his more than fill of females throwing themselves at him. What started as just annoying his new teacher, he sets out to seduce her.
wishing his face ... his beautiful, beautiful face ... wasn’t so damn close to mine. I wanted to kiss those full lips of his. No longer thinking, I smashed my lips against his
The sexual tension between Clara & Dante is palpable throughout the whole book and ends with a very hot explosive scene at the end of the book. I can not wait to read the conclusion-for-now in Shattered Poetry
I rated it 4* but am still torn if I should rate it 2* or 5*.
This book is part of the Broken Lives Series and has to be read in order:
FRC provided in exchange for an honest review.
by author Marita A. Hansen.
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