Last Bell

Glen Springs #2

by Alison Hendricks

David

After my wife died, I was positive I'd never be able to move on. I held myself together with glue and Scotch tape for my daughter's sake, but I haven't been the same since. I thought a new start in Glen Springs would do us both some good, and after a rocky transitional period, it seems like I was right.

Riley's happier and healthier than she's ever been. She's doing well in school, she's got friends I don't want to throttle with my bare hands, and I know if anything goes wrong, her history teacher will do everything in his power to help her.

There's just one problem: I'm starting to look to that same teacher to help me put my life back together, too. At first, it's just a friendship. But it only takes a few words to plant ideas in my head, and soon I'm questioning if I'm really as straight as I thought I was.

I want him in my bed, in my life... but Riley has to be my top priority. I can't afford to give my heart to someone new.

Jake

I've spent my whole life looking out for kids who've got no one in their corner--kids whose parents don't give a damn about them. It's a natural enough fit, considering my own father barely acknowledged my existence growing up.

But David isn't like that. Yeah, maybe he's a little anxious and has a tendency to helicopter parent, but I know he genuinely wants what's best for his daughter. Even if he and I don't always agree on what that is. He's one of the good guys... but it doesn't help matters that he's also exactly my type. Kind. Funny. A big ginger teddybear of a man I'd love to let hold me forever.

I can't fall for the father of one of my students. I just can't. Especially when I'm on thin ice as it is for my unconventional teaching methods. But every time I'm in a room with David, I'm drawn to him. And when that dam finally breaks, we both get caught in the flood.

I could lose my job over this; everything I've worked so hard to build for myself. But for some reason, I just can't seem to stay away.

Last Bell is the second, full-length gay romance novel in the Glen Springs series. It can be read as a standalone, but features side characters from past and future Glen Springs books.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Contemporary, LGBT, Friends To Lovers, Childrens, M M Contemporary

207 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 8, 2017

Reviews

[Cadiva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good follow up for this new series

I enjoyed this second book in the new series from Alison Hendricks a little more than book one as there was slightly less dramady.

Jake and David didn't have as much angst as they got together as Travis and Shane had in the first one but there was still a bit of annoying back and fro-ing as they both tried to outdo the other on the "push those away you love" front.

The secondary story with David's daughter Riley and troubled teen Julie from the first book flowed better with surprisingly small levels of drama and only that in keeping with Julie's overly religious and homophobic parents.

I like this new setting and I'm hoping Eric gets his story next and we find out about the vandalism.

[Mindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was pretty great, but I like the first one better. Hope there will be more books to this series.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last bell is the second book in the Glen Springs series by Alison Hendricks. I loved this book. The book was well written and nicely edited. The characters were complex and easy to fall in love with. I wish I had a history teacher that was that dedicated to teaching his students. David is the perfect dad to his daughter Riley, and I loved how he interacted with Jake. First as a friend and later as something more. But Jake is in that tricky spot of not being out at school and worrying about his job and what his students' parents will do if they find out that not only is he gay but that he's dating a student's dad. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

[Santy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this one too!

Both men’s endearing awkwardness and realistic faults interestingly made me enjoy the story more. David’s drama-free acceptance of his newfound sexuality while rare, was quite refreshing to read about.

I also loved the bits with the secondary characters who I felt added quite a lot to the story( Riley & Julie,Gracie & Eric and of course the appearances of Travis and Shane from Book 1).

Eric the trouble maker’s book is next so you bet I’ll be reading it!

[Don Bradshaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jake and David rocked through their insecurities and came out smelling like roses. I enjoyed the sub-plot of Julie and Riley very much. The characters all just clicked perfectly for me and made for a very sweet read. The angst was low and the plot moved along well. Bravo

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars.

This was a sweet story. David relocates to Glen Springs a year after the death of his wife in hopes to make a better life for himself and his sixteen-year-old daughter, Riley. Alex is Riley's high school history teacher and reaches out to David to figure out how best to help Riley, and in doing so, he ends up helping them both.

I enjoyed this, though probably not as much as the first. I liked all the characters, but was probably most drawn to Riley and Julie and the subplot they were involved in. There were many sweet moments made from many combination of characters. Riley seemed to be wiser than her years, at times giving sage advice to her father whilst he was attempting to do the same to her. It was a nice dynamic, learning from each other, redefining themselves.

With all of its positives, I felt like there was something missing. I didn't feel the connection between David and Alex. I understood it and saw how it happened and the logistics of it, but I felt like there was something missing.

The book was well-written, and I am thankful to have had the opportunity to read it.

[Earlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jake and David...
David has a widow with a daughter, has move for a fresh start.
Jake a high school teacher, who thinks that he is doomed to stay alone.
The attraction between David and Jake is instant, even though David never had a relationship with another man. He is however willing to give this a try.
kind hearted Jake, just makes it easy for David to fall for him.
Jakes love of his job and his kids he teaches, makes it easy for David to fall for him.
This is an easy romance, and the road that leads to a HEA.
A friends to lovers romance.
Got this book for an honest review.

[Liza · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet story featuring the brother of the MC of the first story. Jake is a history teacher and is fighting to make the riding program at Shane and Travis' ranch and official after school program. Then David moves to town with his daughter, Riley. I was loving the slow-burn between Jake asnd David, as well as the ultra-sweet, growing romance between Riley and fellow student, Julie. Nothing was easy or perfect, but overall, it was an enjoyable story.

[Pixie]

DNFd at 66% - this just wasn't keeping my attention. The writing was strong and the storyline interesting but I think it just may have been bad timing.

[Wendy Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
A sweet feel good read.

[Isabella ~Mikku-chan~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

*~~*ARC kindly provided by the author to me in exchange for an honest review *~~*

The topic was great, I kinda love these "forbidden" topics where the main character is falling in love with his/her children's teacher. Of course it's only semi-forbidden but, you get it, right? :)

The way how David and Jake were presented was pleasant, I also liked how Riley was displayed as a lightly struggling 16 years old teen, who is grieving over her mother's death & the new move to a small town like Glen Springs.

I like the "drama", it was good included, not too much but not too dull. Of course there is hurt and comfort. First it is starting from the bonding connection between Jake and David & the project Jake is working on, but later there is the "drama" towards the end which is connected to Riley and her new friend Julie, a young, shy girl we know from the last book, Final Stretch.

The bi-representation in this book was im my opinion pretty nice. I was worried we get a "classical" case of Gay for You (GFY) and that the topic isn't discussed at all. But unexpectedly there was an open talk about sexuality and not only between David and Jake but also between David and his daughter Riley. There is also a suprise in this corner of the book, but I won't say what because it spoils the fun. Though as an attentive reader you maybe get it pretty soon. I can only say the whole side story between David's daughter Riley and Julie was great! I was only a bit disappointed about the end. Because this felt a bit flat and I would love to see more, when they are older. :) Would be refreshing different but we will see.

All in all the character were pleasant & believable. Not only David or Jake, but Riley, Julie and of course the well known Travis and Shane from the first book. I also could understand Jake so much, relate to him SO much. His hurt feelings, his pride and his way how he deals with everything alone is something I can totally understand and feel with him.

David was sometimes exhausting, but on the other hand his behaviour made so much sense and of course he is - as a single parent - worried about his daughter. Some parts are funny to read but often he is a heavy helicopter partent, but luckily, and that's his charme, he realises it himself and you can't be really annoyed by him.

Of course his worrying behaviour and his over-protectiveness leads to the drama and fuels it, but also Jake's character traits are reason for it.

I really liked how the book had its up and downs, the tension was there.
David an Jake are really sweet, as well as sexy together and their erotical scenes are pretty smoking hot. :3

This book was more entertaining than the first book and therefore it gets 5 out of 5 stars. :) I'm wondering if we can expect another book. Maybe about the nice waiter and chef the cuisine of the diner where David and Jake often eat? :) We'll see.

Review originally posted on my blog with added content Mikku-chan / A world full of words

[Ami · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars rounded up

Last Bell is the second book in Glen Springs series that starts with Final Stretch. Jake is a teacher at Glen Springs High School (and he's Travis' brother). This new semester, he has a new student, Riley, who moves in to the town with her father, and a not-so-good track record from her previous school.

Jake is determined to help Riley. He sets up a meeting with David, Riley's father to set up initial expectation and to understand Riley better. Then David shows up, and Jake thinks the father is gorgeous. But he's a student's father -- and straight -- so Jake needs to step back and not act on his crush.

Meanwhile, David is struggling with his teenage daughter. After his wife died David decides to move to Glen Springs for new start. Of course, he doesn't expect that he will start developing feeling for someone new ... a man and his daughter's teacher nonetheless. Can a man discover his bi-sexuality in the age of thirty-six?

----

I feel like I'm having a STRIDE of entertaining MM stories lately that involves fatherhood (or kids). The daughter in this book is older than the previous stories I finished. Riley is a teenager. But I think she is still an integral part and I LOVE the scene where she commiserates with her father about her first crush. That is one of my highlights of the book.

I enjoyed the slow-burn progress between Jake and David, because Jake thinks David is off limits, and David never has sexual attraction with a man before. I also adored the secondary relationship between Riley and her tutor :). I definitely loved this better than Travis and Shane's story.

I hope Eric's story is next *cross fingers*

[Tanja · Rating 5 out of 5]

A big sigh and a warm fuzzy feeling, that’s what I got from reading this book. It was wonderful. Contrary to the Final Stretch, the prequel to this book, I really loved this book. Final Stretch was good, but Last Bell was great.
Jake is a history teacher at the local high school and is one of those dedicated teachers with heart for his profession and his students. Through his new student, Riley, he meets Riley’s dad. David is a widower after his wife died in a car accident. He decided to move to the relatively quiet Glen Spring to give his sixteen-year-old daughter a much-needed change in life. Although David is not gay or even bi (as far as he knows), he has this instant connection with Jake. And the feeling is mutual.
So far so good. The premise is not new, but Alison Hendricks brings it to a new level. Not only by her writing style, which is flowing and very pleasant to read. She also has a knack for bringing the characters to life. I loved how she portrayed Jake and David, but also Riley and Julie. I became completely invested in their lives. The attraction between Jake and David is palpable.
As much as Jake and David move slowly toward each other, it is also about David growing closer to his daughter and Jake reconnecting more with his brother. They are all connected, and it is the heart of the story.
This is the sequel to Final Stretch and can be read as a stand-alone. However, I do recommend reading the books in order as you will enjoy them better.

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great instalment from Alison Hendricks and this one is Travis's (from Final Stretch) brother Jake's story and it fills in some of what I was missing from the first book. Although this can be read as a standalone, you will certainly miss out on some of the nuances that link Final Stretch and Last Bell.

Jake is a teacher who fights for the young people in his school. David is the widowed father of one of Jake's pupils, Riley and is fighting for his daughters happiness. Together these two hit it off instantly which throws David as he has never considered himself anything but heterosexual. As David and Jake work together to help Riley discover who she is and her relationship with Julie, these two can't help but deny the feelings growing between them.

This book is beautifully written and I love how Alison has developed both past and present characters in such a way as to give the reader what they wanted from the end of the first book. The key message in this book is about relationships and how they develop in the most unexpected way, but how taking a chance on love can be the most rewarding. I loved this one and read it in a few hours...I can't wait for the next Glen Springs chapter!

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reading Copy of this book

[Amanda at WickedGoodReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another awesome installment in the land of Alison Hendricks writing. This second installment in the Glen Springs series brings your Jake's story. You meet Jake in book 1, as he is the brother to one of the MC's in that book as well as the BFF of the other MC.

Jake is a history teacher who cares deeply for his students. He hates injustice in the system and hates to see kids struggle at the hands of their parents or the administration. He's a bisexual man living in a small town. He takes a select group of kids out to the ranch his BFF owns and operates as part of a therapeutic program he would like to get up and running but the school board shoots him down.

David, is a recent widower looking for a new start for him and his teenage daughter. Riley, is a student of Jakes which is how they meet. Jake is attracted to David-but David is straight, or so he assumes. As it turns out, David is not as straight as he seems. It takes a little bit, but these two find their way towards a relationship. There are some bums and bruises along the way but in the end, they get their sweet little HEA.

[L Cam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This title was provided by the author for an honest review. I really liked this one much more than the first. David is struggling to raise his daughter after her mother's death, so he moves them to Glen Springs and in storms Jake, Riley's teacher to complicate things in both a good and bad way.

David thinks he's straight, so he's really thrown for a loop when he gets such a visceral attraction to Jake. He is kinda oblivious sometimes, I think that it kinda cute in a quirky kind of way. But he's so out of his element that he does and says stupid stuff sometimes. The elements between him and Jake flow really naturally. The only rough patches I feel show up in the story is where Riley is concerned. Where she's concerned David is unhealthily neurotic. His worry is understandable, but it borders on anxiety and panic attacks. I wish that would have been addressed.

Still there were some good surprise moments. Alison really knows how to make a sweet story. This one did make me tear up, so definitely a positive.

[Kristian Erdmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

David lost his wife Sidney and he decides it's best for him and his teenage daughter Riley to move to another place and have a fresh start. To begin anew. It's been a little while since her passing but the wounds still feel fresh for both father and daughter. David meets Jake while being proactive with his daughters schooling by meeting her teacher which by chance is Jake(which is Travis's brother from the last book in this series). They decide to meet biweekly to talk about Riley and eventually that changes into something else. David had never been in a relationship with a man and he takes this surprisingly well. I loved their story and how all the characters interacted together. I especially love that we got to go back to the ranch and the things Jake does for the kids is very special and you will totally fall in love with him. Great read with characters and settings you will love!!

*An ARC was received from the Author in exchange for an honest review.*

[Alexis Woods · Rating 3 out of 5]

This ARC was provided free from the author in return for an honest review.

Last Bell was a fairly well written story with some very good heartstring tugging moments. Overall, I liked this story arc better than book one (football player/horse trainer-jockey). This pairing of a teacher and a widower was much more realistic. I really liked how the widower David was portrayed, how he thought about new new found sexuality, and didn't try to rush it or get too freaked out about it. The dynamics between father and daughter were excellent too. Her dialogue often cracked me up. The 2000 kids today really are different from those of use pre-2000.


About the only thing that hurt this story (other than a still mediocre use of first person POV) was the sex scenes with autonomous body parts. They really bugged me and essentially made those scenes worthless. “My hands move over his thighs…” “My hands grip the sheets…” You move your hands, they don’t move by themselves.

[John-Torleif Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thouroughly enjoyed this book. I loved both David and Jake and Riley and Julie.

I was so happy that Riley was able to be there for Julie - because I question whether she would have just given up if she didn’t have Riley to look forward to after turning 18. I also thought that David and Jake were perfect for each other. They contrasted enough to make things interesting, but held many of the same viewpoints and attitudes so that they meshed together very well.

While I felt a little underwhelmed with the first book in this series, this one came in well above the bar of excellence.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh...

For some reason, I've recently read a lot of book where the characters confess their undying love to each other after weeks (!) of knowing each other; and I'm so sick of it. The whole book felt very predictable and although I understand where he was coming from, David's overprotectiveness was a bit annoying.

I did however really like the sub-plot about Riley and Julie. To be honest, I found their relationship way more interesting than Jake's and David's.

I don't think I'm gonna read the third book since I couldn't care less about Eric.

[Sissy Spain · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an arc by the author for an honest review. I didn't realize Last Bell was the 2nd book in a series. Although it can be read as a stand alone, I definitely feel like I missed out on getting to know some of the side characters. I enjoyed this book but felt the characters had more chemistry as friends than love interests. I appreciated how the author went about addressing bigotry. I would definitely read something else by Allison Hendricks.

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lesson Learned

Received and advanced copy from Arc. This novel is a sweet romance between a skittish teacher and the father of one of his students that just moved to town after becoming a widow. The story moves at a fast pace. Bi sexuality or becoming gay is frowned upon by a few in the community. This couple comes together to fight numerous battles. It does have a happy ending and it's a great kindle unlimited find.

[Dara Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s hard not to compare a book two to a book one with n the series. This was a good book, really good. Jake and David were sweet, stubborn, adorable and good. David’s daughter Riley was amazing. But while Jake and David were hot together, they weren’t a Shane and Travis. They weren’t lighting the furniture on fire with their passion. But then I remember that they’re different characters, they’re unique and that makes this story feel just.....right.

[Jesus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story

This is a story about a man finding himself in more ways than one. He found love in an unusual place with an incredible man. David's character is amazing. He's a worried single dad that tries to do the best for his daughter. Jake is an excellent teacher and guide to his students. His passion to help his students is commendable. The Last Bell has everything you need for a good read.

[TL Travis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a heartwarming story

Parents sometimes miss in their children what others see and we need those extra sets of eyes sometimes to set us right. That is, when our hearts and minds are open to doing so.

[Pianisuparse · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 'This was another great book in this series, I probably enjoyed this slow burn journey. Loved the newness and joy that was David's discovery and realisation that he was attracted to Jake' stars.

[C.B. Abraham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wanted more.

I finished the book and I am left with the feeling of wanting more. Bottom line, I loved it. Thanks Alison.

[Amanda DeLeon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book

The characters were developed so well. I liked how we were able to see see romantic and father daughter relationship. Love is love 💕

[Anu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent story, I find myself enjoying this series so very much!

[Simone · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars