Everyone knows NOT to discuss how to raise children.
The Men of the North have been living in exile for centuries, raising their boys without the influence of women. Now an experiment will bring girls and boys together in a new school with children and teachers from each side of the border. But how can two teachers work together when they don’t agree on anything?
Sparks fly in this clash of cultures when Archer Rex objects to Kya Rae’s meditation “shit” that will surely turn his Nboys into wusses. He wants the kids to learn how to hunt and fight instead.
The Mentor is the third installment in Elin Peer’s series The Men of the North. Readers call it witty, intelligent, relevant, and masterfully written.
Get this fascinating and entertaining romantic comedy set in the future, today!
With a background in life coaching, Elin is easy to talk to and with over thirty-six books under her belt, fans rave about her unique writing style that has subtle elements of coaching mixed into fictional love stories with happy endings.
Elin is curious by nature. She likes to explore and can tell you about trekking through the Asian jungle, watching the sunset in the Sahara Desert, sailing down the Nile in Egypt, kayaking in Alaska, river rafting in Indonesia, and flying over Greenland in a helicopter.
She enjoys writing books with her talented daughter Pearl Beacon, whom she describes as one of the kindest and wisest people she knows.
To connect or learn more, please visit Elin at: Facebook, Goodreads, Amazon, Instagram or simply send an email to: elin@elinpeer.com
I really like this series. I love satirical romances because the humor adds something extra spicy. Book 3 continues to attempt to bridge the cultural gap between the Motherlands and the Northlands. In the prior books, there was a suggestion to have a co-ed school with 10 boys from the Northlands and 10 girls from the Motherland but it would be situated in the Northlands. The school would have two administrators from each society, Kya Rae and Archer Rex to guide the children in the new venture. Both administrators have their own beliefs on how to integrate the kids and their method often clashed. Add to the mix was their ever growing attraction to each other. It was just a nice mix of humor, angst and romance for me.
This series is a nice look at the various extremes of society and we get a chance to look at what works and what clearly is outdated and needs to change about society. I think I liked Kya and Archer as much as Christina and Boulder. This book is tied with book 1 in terms of enjoyment. Great writing, great characters and a smooth flow. I can't wait for the next installment.
I had big expectations about this book / these MCs.
He was a decent guy in previous 2 books, but came across as …meh… in this one.
And she was somewhere between tstl & pathetic. Ugh!
1. What was a purpose of threesome joke/prank? 2. Spanking…. Damn, it ruined the book for me. He punished a child with spanking – I’m not against physical punishment (and there are kids, who deserve it a lot) – but this girl wasn’t a guilty one. It was OTT uncomfortable for me, when a grown-up man spanked a girl. And then our ‘badass’ heroine decided to take girl’s punishment and got aroused, when a man humiliated her. Ok, I don’t get off on humiliation (please let us not dwell on my poor frigid sexuality), but I can somehow understand, when they write ‘submissive’ females. But this one was raised in completely different world and had completely different mentality. That’s why her reaction was a turn-off to me. 3. Light drama with his supposed marriage to OW and her jealousy was… hmm… - I didn’t like it.
I won’t read a book about Finn. He slept with 5 OWs and I bet his woman/h wasn’t with any OM. Common, 5 OWs! For their world is like a mega OTT übermanho. Ugh!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Book: The Mentor Author: Elin Peer Type: #3 in Men of the North POV: First Person - Dual Genre: Dystopian Romance Rating: DNF
Age: Kya - 26; Archer - 28.
DNF at 85%.
You ever read a book that just frustrated you to no end? 'The Mentor' was that book for me. I nearly threw my Kindle out the window of my room (but I refrained, barely).
Firstly, all the exclamation marks grew on my nerves. I can tolerate them when I'm reading young-adult books or with teenage/whiny characters. But that was not the case with this one. Especially when the person using them is a 26-year-old woman who wanted to establish authority. And not only her, Archer used them too. Speaking of a 26-year-old woman who wanted to establish authority, Kya was a big letdown for me. She appeared so immature and childish, complaining about Archer and being all whiny. First resisting his advances and his proposal to marry, then realizing that she was in love with him all along.
Magni was being overprotective and controlling! Archer was being unreasonable and stubborn! ... She had let me kiss her!
Archer spanking an eleven-year-old girl just because of an accident and the whole "this-is-our-way" crap? It was not my cup of tea, to say the least. Kya taking on Sky's punishment and feeling aroused by the spanking? I felt disconnected to both the characters after that.
One of my most hated tropes is OW drama and guess what? The Mentor had it. Basically Archer had to marry some other woman since Kya rejected his proposal and this is when I called it quits. Add to that "pleasure bots" and a threesome situation at the start, and it was a miracle I even made it this far.
This book had a storyline similar to the two previous books: man and woman meet, man and woman hate each other, man and woman have sex, woman ignores her feelings for man, woman realizes she loves man, woman and man get married after a short time of knowing each other, more sex.
*major eye roll * insta-love after sex is a huge no-no for me. No romance building whatsoever. Why can't I stop reading this series! Ugh!
3 stars. One of my least favorite of this series because of the unnecessary drama at the end. I hated that the hero went off to fight for OW without even telling the heroine. That shit is absolutely not my cuppa and the hero should have been honest with the heroine about what he wanted and why.
Also, the heroine allows the hero to spank her and becomes aroused from it. YUUUUUCK. Please let's not sexualize physical abuse? It was such a major turn off.
Safe; I might be mis-remembering but I believe they were both virgins. Both have been with sex bots.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I didn't like Kya as much as I thought I would from the previous books. From how she was in Boulder's and Christina's book I figured she was gonna be pretty laid back and open minded but she ended up being the most stubborn and dogmatic. Due to her refusal to give in she almost lost everything. I though it was gonna be funnier with the kids interacting and their cultural differences but it seemed to be more of just nonstop bullying. This one was a little bit of a miss for me but Finn is one of my favorite characters and his book is next plus I can't wait to read about Magni and Laura's reunion so I will be continuing with the series.
Men of the North: The Mentor is the story of an educational experiment set 400 years in the future following an atomic holocaust which left the world split into two societies--the Motlanders and the Men of the North, known as Nmen. The Motlanders live in a matriarchal society ruled by women who have valiantly eschewed violence and war. The Nmen inhabit what used to be Canada and Alaska. It is a world dominated by men who have refused to live under female rule, still violent in nature, but where women are so valued they are protected and cherished--what few of them are left in this all-male enclave. It is the third book in a series by author Elin Peer, with several more planned. The first two books are The Protector and The Ruler. So much for the background.
Right from the start, the sexual energy in this book blazes right off the page. I received an ARC copy today (October 26), started to read it, and was so gripped by the story kept reading right from the time I downloaded it to nearly midnight. I got called away once for supper, then rushed right back to the computer to pick up where I had left off.
Basically the story is about an educational experiment on how to raise children--yes--but the protagonists, Kya and Archer, both teachers or "mentors" come from two entirely different cultures. The objective of the school is to take twenty children, ten boys from the north and ten mainly girls from the south, and see if they can be made to understand and collaborate with one another despite major cultural differences.
But Kya, a strong-willed colored woman from the "Momsie" culture, and Archer, a strong-willed mentor from the Nmen culture, are the protagonists for two different ways of life. Through them Peer portrays not only the difficulties of merging cultures, but also the clashes between male and female when the cultures attempt to combine across gender lines. The Nmen believe in strong discipline. The Motlanders believe in reasonable negotiation. The two conflict in one memorable scene where Kya, in an attempt to block a harsh punishment meted out to one of her girl pupils agrees to take the girl's punishment on herself. The tension, the breathless energy of that scene crackles right off the page is only one example of taut and breathtaking writing.
The teaching mentors are surrounded by other vividly drawn characters, against which the antagonistic pair are compared and contrasted. Different strokes for different folks. There is Khan, the Ruler (Book 2), and his mate Pearl, a former member of the Motlander council. There is Christina, an archaeologist sent to help the Nmen excavate a historic site and who falls in love with and marries her "Protector", Alexander Boulder (Book 1). Still other teachers and mentors present a totally different face of the conflicting cultures--all of which helps to highlight the rocky love story between the conflicted Kya and Archer.
I have always been a fan of the sparks that are struck off male/female relationships. They can often lead to love and understanding. This book has it in spades. Not only does Elin Peer understand the psychology of such relationships, she is able to create the friction between her characters that leads to a breathtaking read and a story conclusion that holds you glued to your seat to the very last page of the book.
I love Elin Peer's books. I love that she takes chances and thinks outside the box. I love the world she's created with the Men of the North series. And I love seeing the other characters we've come to know and love in books 1 and 2.
Kya and Archer approach teaching--and most of life--from opposite directions. They have been raised in very opposing societies, and only now are the two looking to change that. The interesting thing for me is that Archer was somewhat more open-minded about things. He might not like some of Kya's teaching methods or curriculum, but he tolerates it. She, on the other hand, is so uncomfortable with some of the differences in the "Nmen's" society, she acts out a little herself. Momsie society is one thing, but faced with Archer and the Nmen, she can't help herself--and that makes her more uncomfortable!
Something I LOVE about this series is that the men are so devoted to the idea of marriage and children. The women (the Momsies) have walked away from that to make everything as genderless as possible, while the men celebrate the differences between men and women. They might have some one-sided ways of looking at relationships (keeping women too protected), but they don't have enough women to teach them anything differently. It's delightfully complicated and deliciously simple.
That's what's so fascinating about this series. The male and female societies are polarized, because they haven't had the chance to interact and learn about the others. The Mentor was the perfect book to show that--and the changes for which the more enlightened members of both societies are fighting.
This series is SO worth reading! It highlights things of which we should all be aware and learn. You might find yourself disagreeing with some things, which is only natural when two sides to an issue are so blatantly opposite, but that's kind of the point. And the best books are the one that make you think, ask questions, and then they stick with you. The Mentor will do that!
Solid 4 stars. To be honest there wasn't a whole lot of romance in the first 35% and I was completely okay with it. When the writing is good and the plot is unique and interesting, I'll read it despite expectations. I LOVED the teacher/mentor dynamic along with all of the children. Very excited to know more about Soloman and Willow. And I can't freaking wait for Magni's book and his reunion with Lauren!!!
I'm afraid ill have to skip Fin's book. He has sex with others (real women, not sexbots) after he meets the heroine and I don't like his attitude towards women.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Raven and Boulder *sigh*, Mila and Magni *sigh* but most of all Kya and Archer *sigh*, wow, *double sigh*.
I laughed with this book, I cried with this book and I fell in love with not just Kya and Archer but the children and so many of the other characters. Even though it's set in an imaginary future, this is such a wonderful story that any lover of contemporary romance should enjoy reading it.
The author writes with charm, wit and a warmth that brings her characters to life, always leaving you wanting more. Once I pick up one of Elin's books I know I won't want to put it down again until the I've read every word. She creates a world that you can almost see, hear and smell, along with heroes and heroines that you can't help but fall in love with.
Archer is quite a thoughtful and caring individual,at least he is in Nmen terms. When he talked about both his childhood and his time spent with the infants during training I could feel his pain and his need to both give and receive love. That last night in the Motherlands with Kya, my heart broke for him.
The book is written from both main characters point of views, so you really get to know and understand them. I really liked both Kya and Archer and this time I liked the slight role reversal in it being Kya who was the inflexible one and the one not willing to compromise. There are plenty of sub plots and side stories that immerse you into this world and hold your interest, but at the heart of this book is a wonderful love story. It is a story about overcoming fears, prejudices and differences and working as a team to find the middle ground.
I will now be waiting very (im)patiently until Finn and then Magni's stories are complete. I'm also hoping we might meet a few other Nmen and get their stories too. This review simply doesn't do justice to the book. This whole series is quite simply amazing and should be top of your 'must read' list.
FTC DISCLAIMER: I RECEIVED AN E-ARC FROM THE AUTHOR. I ALSO PRE-ORDERED A COPY OF THIS BOOK BEFORE RELEASE DATE FOR MY PERSONAL LIBRARY. I VOLUNTARILY OFFER MY HONEST REVIEW OF THE BOOK, THOUGH IT IS NOT EXPECTED OF ME! RECEIPT OF THIS BOOK IN THIS MANNER DOES NOT AFFECT MY OPINION OF THE BOOK OR THE CONTENT OF MY REVIEW!
So far, I have well enjoyed the Men of the North series, and I had hoped that this book would follow in the same vein. For me, it really didn't follow what I had enjoyed of the previous two, but the plot of this particular story more than made up for it!
My main problem with this book was Archer and Kya. I had a really hard time believing in their romance! I couldn't figure out their attraction to one another, and it seemed like their relationship was based off of nothing more than sex! Their ending was very touching, though, and redeemed the romance for me!
I loved seeing what was going on with the other couples in the series, and I especially loved seeing the progress that the schoolchildren were making! I also loved seeing how the group challenged stereotypes of both countries, and how their actions were bringing the two countries closer together.
I really enjoyed the story overall, and can't wait to read the next book in the series!
The 3rd book in the series has the experimental school formed and now the two teachers, Kya and Archer, are running it together with vastly different viewpoints. It makes it an very interesting read as they also fight and fall in love inside and outside the classroom.
I liked reading this book and could see the possibilities of future airings like maybe Shelly & Marcos and Solo & Willow. I also look forward to seeing who little Mila falls for especially since she's become Magni's favorite and also Raven because Boulder has taken to her.
I am volunteering to leave a review for a beta of Elin's book. I have had the unique opportunity to be asked by Elin to be a beta reader for her. I can tell you, that it is the easiest most pleasurable request. This is the second in the series I have beta read for Elin, but I have read all three. Her beta's are so well written, there have not been any areas I feel I can offer any constructive criticism. I can only share with her that I love her witty dialogue, and the "so very sweet" things the Nmen say to their loves. Even though this is a series, the books could be read as stand-alones. Elin does a wonderful job of connecting the books, so, though you can "choose" to read only one, why do that when you can fall in love with all of them. If you haven't read any yet, I would recommend reading them from the start, you'll be glad you did. I for one, cannot wait for her next release in January 2018, or so. Elin, thank you, thank you, thank you for such a wonderful series!!!! A TOTAL FAN!
Eilin Peer has once again Exploded onto the page with another Fabulous read! She does not create a character so much as she breathes life into them! Only the knowledge she writes fiction keeps the reader grounded! In The Mentor we have a pair of dedicated instructors with a strong belief in their way of teaching! Their passion and fire so causes them to bump heads over the method of training! Their passionate disagreements soon lead to them bumping other things as well in private! There are more than a few rough spots on the road they are traveling. This is set up with witty and humorous dialog! The supporting cast of characters are both new and well known, making for a good mix. The story has a good blend of laughter and sorrow blended with a few of the dumb things we do for love! Once again dinner was late and the dishes did not get done!
This third installment in the Men of North series narrate the story of Archer and Kya. We meet them in the previous installments, Kya as the best friend of Christina, the first woman of the Motherlands to marry a Nmen, she is a teacher. Archer was one of the champions who won a chance to be selected as a husband for Christina but was rejected, he is also a teacher for the Northlands’ boys. Together they were selected to be a test team, to be the first to take care of a mixed class of boys and girls from both countries. I liked both characters even if each one has annoying sides, Kya with her refusal to envision any future elsewhere than in Motherlands and Archer with his need to be the boss and mocking the women culture. But in the end, Archer is quite a sweet and caring man, really longing for a true relationship while Kya chooses to stay blind and hide far too long. Like what I said in my review about The Ruler, the women who think they have more choices and freedom in their country are the longest to comprehend what they are feeling for the Nmen in their life, while the men know how precious will be a woman for them, she will be synonymous of a family what they all long for.
I don’t like the dynamic between Magni and Kya. I already know Magni and Laura eventually get back together so this whole flirtation between Magni and Kya was a major turn off for me. He definitely is not pining after Laura in this book and seems to have just gotten over her tbh.
I really disliked the spanking scene. Started with spanking an 11 year old girl for punishment after she fought back against a boy teasing and frightening her with a spider. Kya took most of the punishment and it was written in a way to try to be sexy I guess? Ugh I didn’t find it hot personally.
Another thing that really turned my stomach was what happened when Kya tried to get revenge on Archer by spanking him in return "as a prank" and he demands the ability to do anything to her if he allows it. He chooses anal despite her fear. She's a "virgin", only penetrated by sexbots not a human and he's a virgin. Anyways, this first sex scene between the two MCs wasn't hot or sexy to me at all and it cemented my dislike for Archer.
I loved this one! I’ve thought Archer seemed like a great guy from the beginning and I was right, he’s a Nman but definitely more open than others. Kya is a sweet and nurturing person. They have to work together to make the school a success which is great.
I loved the kids which can be tricky! So many great side characters as well - Megni, Boulder, Christina, Finn was hilarious! Khan and Pearl seem more reasonable as well.
Seeing the Nmen and Motlanders continue to work out cultural differences has been really interesting and thought provoking!
It was a great book and I’m excited to read the next one!
Wow. Maybe there could have been more unlikeable leads, but I'm not really sure. Oh, I know - maybe is our "hero" (and I am puking as I say that) could just take a dump all over our female lead. That is the only way Archer could be worse. And Kya maybe could be more of a wet noodle, but I don't think it's possible. The DAY some guy fucking spanks me then I decide it would be a good idea to sleep with him is the day I lobotomize myself. And then this guy who so desperately wants a woman, wants to have sex with a woman and he goes right for anal and she doesn't want to do it? What an absolute doychebag. You don't deserve a woman asshole. Nope. DONE with this series.
This series is honestly FACINATING to me. Each side had good points and each has bad ones.
I love that with each book the "world" gets a little closer to the ideal which is shared power and working together. They figure this out one couple at a time.
I started this one thinking Archer was a complete ass then after Kya rips his heart out and stomps on it for the gazillionth time I'm like ok maybe she's an ass.
Like the others by the end I was pretty happy with the couple as a whole.
I love how each character develops and changes into their best self.
I'm not really sure what it is about this series that has me so hooked on it! On the surface, the world the author has built is very simplistic and cliche in how the sexes are treated...maybe that's part of the charm? The Northlands are violent and chauvinistic, the Motherland is so touchy-feely it's totally unbelievable, and yet...here I am, reading 2 of these in a row and ready to read the next already.
*received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Short and Sweet: A fantastic addition to an already fantastic book series.
Ooohhh Man. This book, guys.
Yet again, I'm completely drawn back into this world. It felt as if I never left it. The characters were consistent, and just as infuriating/sweet/wonderful as the last book. One thing I love about reading a series that each book follows a new couple, is that you're able to see where the other couples you love are at that point. I absolutely loved seeing all the characters from the first two novels again but also falling in love with a new couple.
The steam in this novel did not fail, either. It was just as steamy and sweet as the other two.
Archer and Kya were amazing characters. I loved how almost innocent Archer was when it came to love and physical attraction since he had never been around women. Sure, he was still a little crude at times but there was still times that I thought to myself that he was kind of like a little teenager with a first crush. I know that almost sounds negative, but it's not at all! It makes so much sense in the context of the book that it makes me love his character more.
Kya was SUCH a bad-ass! She was a sassy, strong female character that I think a lot of novels are missing. I loved reading about the connection she had to each of the children. She was such a maternal character and I absolutely loved that.
And that part with Alexander, Christina and Raven.
All and all, this was a fantastic contribution to the series. I absolutely love the world, the politics, the characters, and the bits of science-y information tossed in. Particularly the biodegradable urn that grows trees. That's actually a thing, and I love how it was put into the novel.
Obviously this is the third book in the series, so go check out the first one so you can fall in love too.
I have read all books of this series, and I am still as excited to read on as I have been after the first book. Elin has done it again. The book grasps yor attention from the first word and does not let you go. I am quite busy working as a freelance translator and do not have much time for reading, but whenever I have one of the books from the 'Men of the North' series, I cannot put it down once I have started. The characters are well developed, most of them are already known to the readers of the previous books. I think it is a great concept to let kids from both worlds meet and work through their differences. And there are more than one would have expected. Of course, there is also a love story, which keeps you on your toes. And we get to meet the couples from the previous books again and see how they are faring. Of course they do not play major roles in this book, but still, I like it if a story does not just end, but that I get to see pieces of their future as well.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves a good story, adventure, love and lots of humor as well. I have been waiting some time for this book and it was well worth the wait. Keep on the good work! I can't wait to read the next instalment in this series.
This is an ARC, a fast easy and engaging read. The writing was great, the descriptions were consistent and a good attention to detail. There were no typos, misspellings, grammatical errors or other editing failures. I had been waiting for this book! Kya was the friend who has never been with a man before. Archer had been the champion that Christina chose during her tournament. It was just great!!! Elin, you have such a great imagination. This world you built has all the intricate details I love! I loved the back and forth with Momsies vs Nmen. ( Where did you come up with that?) it's just perfect. Kya is so feisty and doesn't let Archer get away with anything. I love how they are both so passionate about teaching children. It was great how we got to see more of Christina and Boulder, Khan and Pearl. I'm certainly hoping that Magni gets a HEA, this book sure did show his softer, nicer side, and same old crazy side too. I'm glade the Finn was in this book so much too. I hate when authors just mention a character in one chapter, usually the last one and then next they have a whole book. I loved so many of the secondary characters such as the Nboys and Momsie girls. Little Raven, Mila, and Willow just stole my heart. I loved how the men reacted to the little girls.
Such a good story! It was so nice to see the school project progress throughout this book. What impressed me most was Archer’s growth when it came to punishment.
While there were areas of this book I don’t agree with, because they are relatable to issues of today, I have detailed my thoughts in my notes and highlights. I’m not against punishment of the corporal variety, but when used, it needs to fit the crime.
I’ve come to the conclusion that Elin just isn’t great at writing intimacy scenes and trying to make it sound like something these North Men would say. If they have access to the “old internet” with porn on it, they would know better vernacular. These guys aren’t shy about their fascination with sex and porn.
The back and forth between Kya and Archer was so much fun. Especially when they would get indignant about the views from the other side. While I’m not a proponent of name calling, it had me rolling with laughter how all the characters even if it is just in their head, seemed to resort to some level of it.