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The Yakuza and the English Teacher #1
Dangerous Lessons
The Yakuza and the English Teacher Series: Book 1
Falling in love had never been the plan when Jamie headed to Japan to teach English, but when a powerful businessmen takes an interest in him, how can he say no.
Except, Gou is no ordinary businessmen.
When the truth comes out, does Jamie run or does he stay?
And will he have a choice?
210 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 19, 2017
16 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 8, 2019
**3.5 Stars**
After getting his Masters, Jamie starts teaching English in Japan. During a class one day, he feels eyes on him and sees an older man standing with the principal watching him. Little does he know that same man, Gou, will manipulate things so that Jamie is pulled into a life of the Yakuza...basically the head of the Japanese mafia, putting his life in danger. But it's already too late for Jamie's heart. He's already in deep.
This was a mixed bag for me. It caught my interest immediately. I love a good anti-hero. One who is possessive and won't let his lover go. Gou certainly fit the bill here. I couldn't count the number of times he said he wouldn't let Jamie go...ever...and if Jamie ran, he'd chase him down and lock him up. Now certainly, in real life, if I knew someone who acted like that I would tell the object of obsession to run far, far away. But I absolutely eat that shit up in my books...go figure.
The writing was a bit strange to me. I can't really explain it but I stuck with it. I was kind of bummed the sex scenes were fade to black other than one bj scene because I felt these two might have some serious sexual chemistry but I missed it on page. Not only that...and again what does this say about me...even the torture scenes were fade to black. I didn't necessarily need every gruesome detail but it would have made the book better, I think, to include a little more detail. I also felt things were a little rushed. I think the "bones" were there for a great book. It just needed a bit more "meat". I also noticed some typos that could be caught with a good beta reader or editor.
I will definitely read the next one to see where these two end up since this one ends in a semi HFN and I hope we'll get more detail all around.
After getting his Masters, Jamie starts teaching English in Japan. During a class one day, he feels eyes on him and sees an older man standing with the principal watching him. Little does he know that same man, Gou, will manipulate things so that Jamie is pulled into a life of the Yakuza...basically the head of the Japanese mafia, putting his life in danger. But it's already too late for Jamie's heart. He's already in deep.
This was a mixed bag for me. It caught my interest immediately. I love a good anti-hero. One who is possessive and won't let his lover go. Gou certainly fit the bill here. I couldn't count the number of times he said he wouldn't let Jamie go...ever...and if Jamie ran, he'd chase him down and lock him up. Now certainly, in real life, if I knew someone who acted like that I would tell the object of obsession to run far, far away. But I absolutely eat that shit up in my books...go figure.
The writing was a bit strange to me. I can't really explain it but I stuck with it. I was kind of bummed the sex scenes were fade to black other than one bj scene because I felt these two might have some serious sexual chemistry but I missed it on page. Not only that...and again what does this say about me...even the torture scenes were fade to black. I didn't necessarily need every gruesome detail but it would have made the book better, I think, to include a little more detail. I also felt things were a little rushed. I think the "bones" were there for a great book. It just needed a bit more "meat". I also noticed some typos that could be caught with a good beta reader or editor.
I will definitely read the next one to see where these two end up since this one ends in a semi HFN and I hope we'll get more detail all around.
September 28, 2019
Fade to black sexy times. Gah! And fade to black torture (thank goodness). I found many issues with spellings and grammar. It was expensive considering there were so many problems. It could have done with a good proofread and a thorough edit. That being said I enjoyed it enough to want to finish it. My first Yakuza book although I’m not sure I’ll continue with the series as I didn’t connect with either MC particularly.
*2.75 Stars* rounded up
*2.75 Stars* rounded up
February 2, 2021
There's a tender spot in my heart for books with a Japanese flavor, but I also have an abiding affinity for fiction featuring handsome men who enjoy the company of other handsome men. So when I happened upon Naomi Aoki's first book in The Yakuza and the English Teacher series, I knew what I'd be doing in my free time for the next day or two. I mean, a seasoned, dangerously hot Yakuza boss and a young, small-town English teacher with a tendency towards naivete? Oh, yes. Please.
It's necessary to preface what I'm about to say with the disclosure that I was an English teacher in a former life, but now a librarian. The written word is very important, and it means a great deal to me, personally.
The sentence structure, grammar, punctuation, and flow were enough to knock me out of the story and keep me out for most of the book. I found myself stumbling back and forth to find the sense in sentences that had no connecting parts. Before long I was rewriting entire passages in my head as I read. Unfortunately, the dialogue suffered from the same awkwardness of phrasing and oddly placed or missing punctuation. It was a lot more than a typo or two.
Most disappointing of all was the scene when the two would-be lovers finally settled in for their first long-awaited night together. I turned the page only to find a description of the morning sun.
Wait...what? What about that sizzling hot first night? What about the possessiveness, the hunger, the growling and claiming that Gou had been promising? Nope. None of that. The whole event was merely suggested by Jamie's aches and pains the next day. It was a letdown. What should have been an intensely unifying scene ended up a missed opportunity.
I did read the rest of the book. It ended with the promise of more danger and excitement in future volumes. I hope Gou's mother will accept Jamie. I hope Ken and Soichirou survive the series (I really liked them). I hope Gou's persuasive techniques with rival factions (read: interrogation) becomes more fully realized, rather than just mild, shyly descriptive suggestions. I hope every character gets what they want and need in the end, and that Gou and Jamie live happily ever after. But I'll forgo the rest of the series, as book 1 just wasn't appealing enough to warrant seconds.
Gochisosama deshita, author-san. I'll try another of your books in the future.
It's necessary to preface what I'm about to say with the disclosure that I was an English teacher in a former life, but now a librarian. The written word is very important, and it means a great deal to me, personally.
The sentence structure, grammar, punctuation, and flow were enough to knock me out of the story and keep me out for most of the book. I found myself stumbling back and forth to find the sense in sentences that had no connecting parts. Before long I was rewriting entire passages in my head as I read. Unfortunately, the dialogue suffered from the same awkwardness of phrasing and oddly placed or missing punctuation. It was a lot more than a typo or two.
Most disappointing of all was the scene when the two would-be lovers finally settled in for their first long-awaited night together. I turned the page only to find a description of the morning sun.
Wait...what? What about that sizzling hot first night? What about the possessiveness, the hunger, the growling and claiming that Gou had been promising? Nope. None of that. The whole event was merely suggested by Jamie's aches and pains the next day. It was a letdown. What should have been an intensely unifying scene ended up a missed opportunity.
I did read the rest of the book. It ended with the promise of more danger and excitement in future volumes. I hope Gou's mother will accept Jamie. I hope Ken and Soichirou survive the series (I really liked them). I hope Gou's persuasive techniques with rival factions (read: interrogation) becomes more fully realized, rather than just mild, shyly descriptive suggestions. I hope every character gets what they want and need in the end, and that Gou and Jamie live happily ever after. But I'll forgo the rest of the series, as book 1 just wasn't appealing enough to warrant seconds.
Gochisosama deshita, author-san. I'll try another of your books in the future.
February 6, 2023
One of my all-time favs is Yakuza Courage by H.J. Brues so I really wanted to like this one. And I enjoyed it--enough to buy the second one--but I had to tell my inner critic to shut up and enjoy this for what it was.
I'm not blind to the issues below. If you're a tough reviewer, check out Yakuza Courage instead.
1. Typos and grammar issues (your vs you're etc...), and not nearly enough commas
2. OTT instalust / instalove / instaobsession. It was very much like a shifter novel where both people see each other for a few seconds, and it's basically "fated mates". There's no shifters here, but in my head that's the only way to make it make sense.
3. Unhealthy relationship behavior including Gou taking Jamie's passport, basically keeping him hostage in Japan.
4. Basically fade to black sex scenes. A little disappointing.
5. Not enough details of the romance. Why do these two like each other besides being instantly attracted? In Yakuza Courage, Shigure and Ken bonded over a shared love of kendo, art, and a strange sense of humor. I can't name a single reason why Gou and Jamie actually like each other.
6. Not enough details of who Jamie is besides an "ordinary guy." Does he have any friends? Family? Hobbies? Right now he's kind of a blank slate.
I'm not blind to the issues below. If you're a tough reviewer, check out Yakuza Courage instead.
1. Typos and grammar issues (your vs you're etc...), and not nearly enough commas
2. OTT instalust / instalove / instaobsession. It was very much like a shifter novel where both people see each other for a few seconds, and it's basically "fated mates". There's no shifters here, but in my head that's the only way to make it make sense.
3. Unhealthy relationship behavior including Gou taking Jamie's passport, basically keeping him hostage in Japan.
4. Basically fade to black sex scenes. A little disappointing.
5. Not enough details of the romance. Why do these two like each other besides being instantly attracted? In Yakuza Courage, Shigure and Ken bonded over a shared love of kendo, art, and a strange sense of humor. I can't name a single reason why Gou and Jamie actually like each other.
6. Not enough details of who Jamie is besides an "ordinary guy." Does he have any friends? Family? Hobbies? Right now he's kind of a blank slate.
September 17, 2019
No Escape..
Jamie is from New Zealand and teaching English in Japan. Gou a crime boss notices Jamie and sets up English lessons for himself so that he can be close to Jamie. Gou doesn't want Jamie to know that he is involved in criminal activities until Jamie has a chance to really get to know him. Someone starts targeting Gou and his group and attacking their property and undermining Gou's leadership. Things gets dangerous quickly and no one is safe.
I really liked Gou and Jamie. I liked that Gou showed a more vulnerable side around Jamie and that Jamie was strong when things got tough. There are also side characters we get to know and care about and as much action as romance. The story continues in the next book and I'm excited to see what happens next.
Jamie is from New Zealand and teaching English in Japan. Gou a crime boss notices Jamie and sets up English lessons for himself so that he can be close to Jamie. Gou doesn't want Jamie to know that he is involved in criminal activities until Jamie has a chance to really get to know him. Someone starts targeting Gou and his group and attacking their property and undermining Gou's leadership. Things gets dangerous quickly and no one is safe.
I really liked Gou and Jamie. I liked that Gou showed a more vulnerable side around Jamie and that Jamie was strong when things got tough. There are also side characters we get to know and care about and as much action as romance. The story continues in the next book and I'm excited to see what happens next.
August 8, 2022
I'm so totally hooked on this series! This is a perfect pairing of one main character who has to act hard and tough on the outside, and another who has no issues being vulnerable. Jamie is a quiet English teacher from New Zealand who arrives in Japan looking for a change. Gao is a proud business owner and also a powerful member of the Yakuza. Sparks fly almost immediately between these two, but will they be able to maintain their relationship as Gao's enemies close in? Finished this book and immediately downloaded the second. If you like crime boss romance, this is definitely a series you need to pick up!
April 5, 2019
Sparkles of passion catch fire in a blink in this quick-paced Yakuza romance. Jamie must confront the harsh reality of what it means to be the partner of the head of a powerful clan, while Gou struggles between his fierce love for this young
English teacher and his need to protect him against his cruel world. Ms.Aoki does a great job at describing the Japanese underworld, and it was really nice to see the action taking place in Kyoto for once.
Highly recommended for anyone looking for a fresh twist in the Mafia subgenre and all lovers of Japan!
English teacher and his need to protect him against his cruel world. Ms.Aoki does a great job at describing the Japanese underworld, and it was really nice to see the action taking place in Kyoto for once.
Highly recommended for anyone looking for a fresh twist in the Mafia subgenre and all lovers of Japan!
March 27, 2022
Osaka underworld
Aoki writes a colorful and detailed view of the yakuza world, threading in a budding relationship between Gou, the head, and a Kiwi, Jamie, who works as an English teacher. Mixing a war between organizations with a gay attraction keeps interest high. As first in a series, this novel concludes with resolution but points at more, both violence and passion, to come.
Aoki writes a colorful and detailed view of the yakuza world, threading in a budding relationship between Gou, the head, and a Kiwi, Jamie, who works as an English teacher. Mixing a war between organizations with a gay attraction keeps interest high. As first in a series, this novel concludes with resolution but points at more, both violence and passion, to come.
January 9, 2021
Loved it! I read a lot of manga featuring the Yakuza, so this book was right up my alley. The plot kept me on the edge of my seat. I loved that Jaime recognized Gou was powerful from the start, but wasn't afraid to stand up to him. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series to see where their relationship goes.
May 12, 2020
Interesting idea for a story. Didn't quite work for me. One of the main characters has no redeeming qualities. I wasn't convinced that he was worthy of unfettered devotion.
Setting and scenes were lovely.
Setting and scenes were lovely.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews