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Estill County Mountain Man #4
The Miseducation of Riley Pranger
When all you know is what you were taught by parents and friends that are ignorant to the world, you grow up to be a man like Riley Pranger, a passive racist and chauvinistic. But Riley is going to get a fast re-education when a single black mother rents his home for the summer and he has no choice but to recognize the actions of the people around him.
Stella Burton is a no nonsense, 6-foot tall curvaceous black woman who has no problem with hurting a man’s ego. She is opinionated, specifically about a country where she has been single handedly raising her multi-racial son to be a well-rounded black man.
What happens when white privilege is suddenly challenged? When races clash and you mess with the wrong black woman? This novella contains twists and turns and sexiness as well as appearances from Lt. Christopher Jameson, Ashleigh and their children from the novel Beast, Bodie and Shaundea Matthews from A Wrong Turn Towards Love and True from True’s love.
Warning: This story includes sexual situations, graphic and strong racist and homophobic language. This story discusses American politics and race relations in a fictional setting.
Stella Burton is a no nonsense, 6-foot tall curvaceous black woman who has no problem with hurting a man’s ego. She is opinionated, specifically about a country where she has been single handedly raising her multi-racial son to be a well-rounded black man.
What happens when white privilege is suddenly challenged? When races clash and you mess with the wrong black woman? This novella contains twists and turns and sexiness as well as appearances from Lt. Christopher Jameson, Ashleigh and their children from the novel Beast, Bodie and Shaundea Matthews from A Wrong Turn Towards Love and True from True’s love.
Warning: This story includes sexual situations, graphic and strong racist and homophobic language. This story discusses American politics and race relations in a fictional setting.
309 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 18, 2018
176 people are currently reading
163 people want to read
About the author
Pepper Pace
66 books840 followersWho is Pepper Pace?
Pepper Pace is the pen name used by the author. Born and raised in Cincinnati, she has always enjoyed creativity. At a very young age, Pepper had a gift for art and would spend most of her spare time drawing images that she later began adding stories behind. Soon writing became more important than the illustrations and though she still loved art, it took a back seat to her real love.
Pepper wrote her first novel when she was 12 years old and had written 2 more by the age of 18. Too shy to share her work with anyone, Pepper stock piled her many stories into notebooks until she came upon Literotica.com and was compelled to share her craft.
Pepper became instantly popular and won several awards each year in which she submitted a story to the site. After receiving popular feedback, she grew in confidence and created a popular blog entitled Writing Feedback where she encourages her readers to interact with her on topics concerning, music, writing, art and pop culture, and can be contacted at her blog:
pepperpacefeedback.blogspot.com/
Pepper lives in Cincinnati where many of her characters also reside.
Other Websites:
http://pepperpacefeedback.blogspot.com/
http://pepperpace.tumblr.com/
Pepper Pace is the pen name used by the author. Born and raised in Cincinnati, she has always enjoyed creativity. At a very young age, Pepper had a gift for art and would spend most of her spare time drawing images that she later began adding stories behind. Soon writing became more important than the illustrations and though she still loved art, it took a back seat to her real love.
Pepper wrote her first novel when she was 12 years old and had written 2 more by the age of 18. Too shy to share her work with anyone, Pepper stock piled her many stories into notebooks until she came upon Literotica.com and was compelled to share her craft.
Pepper became instantly popular and won several awards each year in which she submitted a story to the site. After receiving popular feedback, she grew in confidence and created a popular blog entitled Writing Feedback where she encourages her readers to interact with her on topics concerning, music, writing, art and pop culture, and can be contacted at her blog:
pepperpacefeedback.blogspot.com/
Pepper lives in Cincinnati where many of her characters also reside.
Other Websites:
http://pepperpacefeedback.blogspot.com/
http://pepperpace.tumblr.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
avoid
January 7, 2019"Once she had called him a redneck because of his country accent and it had stung so deep that he’d warned her never to call him that again, because calling him that was no different then him calling her a nigger."
I dunno, this sounds like it is equally offensive to call straight people "fucking heteros" as calling someone "homo" or "faggot".
I don't believe a passive racist can't be redeemed. With education and acknowledging their error, they can learn and grown and can be accepted, but to be called a hero without due work, is a cop out and pure lazy on author's part. Cowardly as well.
I dunno, this sounds like it is equally offensive to call straight people "fucking heteros" as calling someone "homo" or "faggot".
I don't believe a passive racist can't be redeemed. With education and acknowledging their error, they can learn and grown and can be accepted, but to be called a hero without due work, is a cop out and pure lazy on author's part. Cowardly as well.
Read
January 20, 2019A no despite the fact it sounds interesting, but the "power exchange"between being called the "n" word and redneck is pretty ridiculous
March 3, 2018
I thought I'd like this better than I did. But in the end I found it rather unsatisfying. I think there was an interesting idea and even some flashes of interesting nuance in the character of Riley. But I thought in the end the ideas weren't finished enough or some aspects of characterization felt illogical.
Riley does a lot of inner thinking early in the book. We learn about his family, his background and his upbringing. A lot of that is centered on how racist some members of his family are and how Riley navigates all of it. One thing that did not ring true was that we find out yet in all of his inner musings about his family, about their attitudes toward race, or even in a way to reassure himself he isn't like them he never really brings this aspect of his past up and examines it closely. It just felt like it was deliberately left out so we could get a mid-book surprise reveal, but really given how much we are in Riley's head and how important this would be given what he thinks about, it would have been the number one justification he would have trotted out if only to himself.
And finally I thought the romance was perfunctory. I felt no real anything between the two of them. There was a real lack of on-page chemistry, imo.
There were also several typos, minor yet irritating.
Riley does a lot of inner thinking early in the book. We learn about his family, his background and his upbringing. A lot of that is centered on how racist some members of his family are and how Riley navigates all of it. One thing that did not ring true was that we find out yet in all of his inner musings about his family, about their attitudes toward race, or even in a way to reassure himself he isn't like them he never really brings this aspect of his past up and examines it closely. It just felt like it was deliberately left out so we could get a mid-book surprise reveal, but really given how much we are in Riley's head and how important this would be given what he thinks about, it would have been the number one justification he would have trotted out if only to himself.
And finally I thought the romance was perfunctory. I felt no real anything between the two of them. There was a real lack of on-page chemistry, imo.
There were also several typos, minor yet irritating.
March 11, 2018
I have read other books by Pepper Pace that were quite good. However, this one tried to tackle race relations in a way that I dislike. I do not like trying to essentialy equate the phrase 'redneck' with all of the racial implications that come with 'nigger.' --> "Once she had called him a redneck because of his country accent and it had stung so deep that he’d warned her never to call him that again, because calling him that was no different then him calling her a nigger." So a momentary discomfort at being called redneck (offensive, for sure) is the same as the subhumane way Black people were called 'nigger'? As a Black woman, and many of Pepper Pace's audience is, that is an absurd attempt to rewrite history and let a white character off the hook.
I hate when authors try to find redeeming qualities in a 'nice/passive racist' and then make them into a hero without having the character do the work to address their own racism and bias. I would've preferred Pace either stick to a fluffy romance OR realistically delve into tackling race issues - instead this book falls somewhere in the middle. Not my favorite and now that I think about it, I think at least one other of her books includes a similar exchange between the lead characters (equating redneck to nigger).
I hate when authors try to find redeeming qualities in a 'nice/passive racist' and then make them into a hero without having the character do the work to address their own racism and bias. I would've preferred Pace either stick to a fluffy romance OR realistically delve into tackling race issues - instead this book falls somewhere in the middle. Not my favorite and now that I think about it, I think at least one other of her books includes a similar exchange between the lead characters (equating redneck to nigger).
February 10, 2018
Another great episode in Pepper Pace's Estil County Stories. I enjoyed reading them all and this book was no exception. It seems the mountain town is a little more diverse, but still has a lot of racial tension being stirred up by closed minded individuals. Most of them being Riley's kin.
Riley Pranger is not the typical Pranger. He is college educated, caring, definitely not into being a racist. However, Riley had to learn than staying in the middle without standing up for what you believe is just as detrimental.
Stella was a tall, elegant and very strong willed woman. Along with her son Adam, she turns Riley's world upside down - in a good way.
I pretty much figured out the secret before it was revealed, but had no idea about Jasmine. That was a surprise.
I loved the way the writer entwined current events into the story line, giving life lessons along the way. It made for a great read.
Riley Pranger is not the typical Pranger. He is college educated, caring, definitely not into being a racist. However, Riley had to learn than staying in the middle without standing up for what you believe is just as detrimental.
Stella was a tall, elegant and very strong willed woman. Along with her son Adam, she turns Riley's world upside down - in a good way.
I pretty much figured out the secret before it was revealed, but had no idea about Jasmine. That was a surprise.
I loved the way the writer entwined current events into the story line, giving life lessons along the way. It made for a great read.
May 15, 2018
Not in the same class as Beast, but still a good enough Pepper Pace. But I am used to better than good enough from this author
I didn't like that she made it too political. It seemed a bit political that all the racial recent issues in American were discussed. I do like that she doesn't shy from presenting different point of views, and that she presented the disagreements that could arise in IR couples.
The book was poorly edited though. At the beginning, Pete says his parents came from Guatemala but he is being deported to Mexico. Theresa's mother brings Jacie to Shaun's house but True (who wasn't in the room before) catches him. Riley is driving Stella up the mountain but it's Brodie (who wasn't in the car) who holds her hand. In addition to the poor editing, this book gives the impression that Ms Pace rushed to have a contemporary relevant story, but at the expense of other real issues that the characters could have.
The relationship is rushed at the end. And the epilogue comes too soon in time after the final chapter and everything is too conveniently wrapped up.
And finally, I think the book should have been titled The Miseducation of Stella Burton. She was the one who had to come to terms with race.
I didn't like that she made it too political. It seemed a bit political that all the racial recent issues in American were discussed. I do like that she doesn't shy from presenting different point of views, and that she presented the disagreements that could arise in IR couples.
The book was poorly edited though. At the beginning, Pete says his parents came from Guatemala but he is being deported to Mexico. Theresa's mother brings Jacie to Shaun's house but True (who wasn't in the room before) catches him. Riley is driving Stella up the mountain but it's Brodie (who wasn't in the car) who holds her hand. In addition to the poor editing, this book gives the impression that Ms Pace rushed to have a contemporary relevant story, but at the expense of other real issues that the characters could have.
The relationship is rushed at the end. And the epilogue comes too soon in time after the final chapter and everything is too conveniently wrapped up.
And finally, I think the book should have been titled The Miseducation of Stella Burton. She was the one who had to come to terms with race.
January 23, 2018
Whilst I enjoyed the story which was sweet, I felt there was way too much narrative and not enough dialogue between Stella and Riley. If the issue of race was such a big deal in this relationship then there should have been a lot more dialogue between the couple reading this issue and demonstrating to us how they resolved these concerns.
Worth a read.
Worth a read.
February 1, 2018
Wow...
This is my first book by this author and I must say I was surprised and delighted at the depth of realistic thought provoking racial commentary. Sure, there's a disclaimer but it doesn't do justice to the actual content. Not for the faint of heart or for those who prefer to turn a blind eye and pretend...I loved it! Riley is smoking & a frikken sweetheart, Adam melts your heart and Stella overcame fear & uncertainty to do the right thing. With characters on both sides of the racial divide it was interesting to see the different viewpoints and the courage not to back down when facing hate and following one's heart. ( "You only Zing once")
The sex scenes..minimal but there is enough tension & awareness leading up to it that makes it so much more enjoyable than most in this genre for
me at least. Pace is going on my authors to follow list. Kudos to her for her realism and courage. Well done! 👍👏
This is my first book by this author and I must say I was surprised and delighted at the depth of realistic thought provoking racial commentary. Sure, there's a disclaimer but it doesn't do justice to the actual content. Not for the faint of heart or for those who prefer to turn a blind eye and pretend...I loved it! Riley is smoking & a frikken sweetheart, Adam melts your heart and Stella overcame fear & uncertainty to do the right thing. With characters on both sides of the racial divide it was interesting to see the different viewpoints and the courage not to back down when facing hate and following one's heart. ( "You only Zing once")
The sex scenes..minimal but there is enough tension & awareness leading up to it that makes it so much more enjoyable than most in this genre for
me at least. Pace is going on my authors to follow list. Kudos to her for her realism and courage. Well done! 👍👏
January 26, 2018
Awesome and On Point!
I love Riley Pranger! He just wanted to be accepted and left in peace. His background wasn't the best but he didn't let it stop him from being a better person. He wasn't like the bulk of his family and that was. good thing. His life was okay but it was missing something until one summer.
Stella Burton is a single mother of amazing little boy. Life was good for her and her son Adam. But Stella had a secret and by the end of her vacation st would reveal it. Lives would be changed and all for the better.
This book by Pepper Pace was not predictable and it was an adventure. It tackled real life issues and our current political debacle. Ms. Paced addressed the critical issue so today and did it with dignity, respect and grace, something that is missing in modern America. Lovers of realistic fiction need to buy this book and become educated about BLM and the truth behind Colin Kaepernick's taking a knee.
My only criticism is the few times Burke's name was used instead of Riley. Still an awesome read and I loved the connection to Beast. Well done Ms. Pace!!!
I love Riley Pranger! He just wanted to be accepted and left in peace. His background wasn't the best but he didn't let it stop him from being a better person. He wasn't like the bulk of his family and that was. good thing. His life was okay but it was missing something until one summer.
Stella Burton is a single mother of amazing little boy. Life was good for her and her son Adam. But Stella had a secret and by the end of her vacation st would reveal it. Lives would be changed and all for the better.
This book by Pepper Pace was not predictable and it was an adventure. It tackled real life issues and our current political debacle. Ms. Paced addressed the critical issue so today and did it with dignity, respect and grace, something that is missing in modern America. Lovers of realistic fiction need to buy this book and become educated about BLM and the truth behind Colin Kaepernick's taking a knee.
My only criticism is the few times Burke's name was used instead of Riley. Still an awesome read and I loved the connection to Beast. Well done Ms. Pace!!!
February 8, 2018
*Semi-spoiler alert!*
Another great story about the folks of Cobb Hill!
I liked Riley from the start; even with his seemingly complacent-appearing attitude, I knew that there was something deep about him. And Stella was awesome as well; I loved her parenting style with Adam. The other characters - many of whom I met before in previous Estill County books - were rounded out well - not cardboard cutouts. Even the assholes had layers to reveal.
So...why did I give this Pace novel 3.5 stars? The jarring editing issues, for one; I stopped highlighting them after around 56 times. And the one and only sex scene near the end...I can't quite place my finger on it, but something was missing. And...the whole surprise/secret baby/kid trope. Grrr... It's used so much that one would think that every damned woman on the planet wants kids. I like kids, but um...NO. lol
Still...'The Miseducation of Riley Pranger' was a good read.
Another great story about the folks of Cobb Hill!
I liked Riley from the start; even with his seemingly complacent-appearing attitude, I knew that there was something deep about him. And Stella was awesome as well; I loved her parenting style with Adam. The other characters - many of whom I met before in previous Estill County books - were rounded out well - not cardboard cutouts. Even the assholes had layers to reveal.
So...why did I give this Pace novel 3.5 stars? The jarring editing issues, for one; I stopped highlighting them after around 56 times. And the one and only sex scene near the end...I can't quite place my finger on it, but something was missing. And...the whole surprise/secret baby/kid trope. Grrr... It's used so much that one would think that every damned woman on the planet wants kids. I like kids, but um...NO. lol
Still...'The Miseducation of Riley Pranger' was a good read.
no-thank-you
April 25, 2018Intriguing premise and I thought it had promise, but it really needed a good line editor and/or proofreader. I could tell the need for cleanup was going to keep jarring me as I read, so I didn't finish it.
January 23, 2019
Good but
Always enjoy this author. I was disappointed with this story. There was a lot of potential but she left out what she could have addressed. DISAPPOINTED.
Always enjoy this author. I was disappointed with this story. There was a lot of potential but she left out what she could have addressed. DISAPPOINTED.
April 19, 2018
I love Pepper Pace ! I enjoyed this book, I , liked the discussion about race , I love Adam . I felt Riley learned an important lesson , not speaking up hurts people too. My only complaint I needed more of Riley’s and Stella’s relationship, I felt their story was unfinished.
June 10, 2021
This was pretty good! I am glad that Pepper Pace has hit on many issues that this country is dealing with and I am glad that Riley and Stella got their HEA. I was surprised about a few things and the big reveal that kept the story really interesting as well. A good read!
August 11, 2020
Very relevant to the current Black Lives Matter movement.
February 12, 2018
4 Stars
This was a really good story. It touched on some real life issues. It flowed well and I found myself chuckling and crying at times. Adam is such a sweet kid. The only thing that I found disappointing was that Riley and Stella didn’t really have a connection. It just wasn’t there in my opinion. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed the story. Great job, Pepper Pace!
This was a really good story. It touched on some real life issues. It flowed well and I found myself chuckling and crying at times. Adam is such a sweet kid. The only thing that I found disappointing was that Riley and Stella didn’t really have a connection. It just wasn’t there in my opinion. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed the story. Great job, Pepper Pace!
January 23, 2018
My favorite Pepper Pace book has always been Beast. This novel is giving it some serious competition. It was so worth the wait. I loved, loved, loved Adam and Stella is my Shero! It's not often you can truly admire characters from a story but Stella was all that...loving, strong, independent, protective...qualities we all need to have. Riley was cool but Christopher Jameson is Estill County's finest (no one can top him...he's a beast)!
November 5, 2019
3.5 stars. An enjoyable read. The heroine was strong and independent and I especially liked the down to earth and sincere hero. I liked the authors writing about people's ignorance - no just race, but judging someone's character because of social background, relatives, last name etc. And the mountain town setting was really nice. Also, the real reason why the heroine and her kid were spending the summer in this small mountain town, was a surprise twist.
January 20, 2018
What and eye-opening story
Pepper Pace wrote a well thought out and executed story. We, as a nation, everyone of us, needs to have a heart to heart talk about this very subject. It is a subject that has torn this country apart for centuries. We have come a long way but there is still plenty of room for understanding one another, be it race, religion or gender. The discussion the group had after the incident at the fair was only the beginning of the re-education of both Riley and Stella. I was completely taken aback by the happenings in Brody's shop and what turned out to be the truth. I did not see that one coming.
This story was not so much about Riley's miseducation but a realization of what kind of family he came from and acceptance of what he had to do in order to live his life and protect his son. After all, he was open minded when he went away to college. He just had to finally get out of the redneck label that was hung on him from childhood. He finally had a reason to move on and not let what his football injury define his striving for a better life. His granny Jewel, unbeknownst to him, was the biggest reason why he did not turn out like his dis-functional cousin Sully. She showed him that once one gets away from the bullying brainwashing, it is possible to have friends from all walks of life.
Stella was another situation altogether. She was a momma bear when it came to her adoptive son Adam. She recognized that she could not keep him away from his bio dad and sought him out. In the process, she condemned the entire town for what a few of Riley's misguided cousins did. She soon learned that the town's people on a whole were good people and were willing to do whatever possible when one of their own was in need. She was hesitant about becoming involved with Riley solely due to race, but soon came to the understanding that all the men she tried dating in her life, did not give her that cosmic electrical zing she felt when around Riley, and finally, just let herself give way to the feelings, society be damned.
Pepper took the topics of race, politics, homophobia, misogyny, bullying and mental and physical abuse and tackled them in a way to make one rethink about how one really feels about these topics. This story was full of drama and heart ache for these very complicated characters dealing with very complicated issues of race and family and love. Well done Pepper! I highly recommend this as an excellent read!
Pepper Pace wrote a well thought out and executed story. We, as a nation, everyone of us, needs to have a heart to heart talk about this very subject. It is a subject that has torn this country apart for centuries. We have come a long way but there is still plenty of room for understanding one another, be it race, religion or gender. The discussion the group had after the incident at the fair was only the beginning of the re-education of both Riley and Stella. I was completely taken aback by the happenings in Brody's shop and what turned out to be the truth. I did not see that one coming.
This story was not so much about Riley's miseducation but a realization of what kind of family he came from and acceptance of what he had to do in order to live his life and protect his son. After all, he was open minded when he went away to college. He just had to finally get out of the redneck label that was hung on him from childhood. He finally had a reason to move on and not let what his football injury define his striving for a better life. His granny Jewel, unbeknownst to him, was the biggest reason why he did not turn out like his dis-functional cousin Sully. She showed him that once one gets away from the bullying brainwashing, it is possible to have friends from all walks of life.
Stella was another situation altogether. She was a momma bear when it came to her adoptive son Adam. She recognized that she could not keep him away from his bio dad and sought him out. In the process, she condemned the entire town for what a few of Riley's misguided cousins did. She soon learned that the town's people on a whole were good people and were willing to do whatever possible when one of their own was in need. She was hesitant about becoming involved with Riley solely due to race, but soon came to the understanding that all the men she tried dating in her life, did not give her that cosmic electrical zing she felt when around Riley, and finally, just let herself give way to the feelings, society be damned.
Pepper took the topics of race, politics, homophobia, misogyny, bullying and mental and physical abuse and tackled them in a way to make one rethink about how one really feels about these topics. This story was full of drama and heart ache for these very complicated characters dealing with very complicated issues of race and family and love. Well done Pepper! I highly recommend this as an excellent read!
February 28, 2018
A truly fascinating story about the intricacies of love in an interracial relationship and the intersectionality of race and class. It's been a while since I've read anything by Pepper Pace but like always she never disappoints. This story explains the different forms of racism in micro and macro aggressions that black people face in different spectrums. And as Riley learns, that this type of hatred is bred by the passive and tolerant actions and rhetoric that people tend to believe are harmless instead of having real life racial and prejudice and damaging effects within American society.
I loved it! Stella and her son Adam were vacationing for the summer in Cobb Hill to get out in nature, but Stella had another motive as well. Riley is a man routinely living and looking after his ailing grandmother, trying to forget the past and the life he almost escaped from. He isn't expecting for this summer to change his humdrum life, even with the surprising renters to his family cabin.But when it changes for the better, he must decide if he's going to stay passive to his family's beliefs and let it hurt the ones he loves, or stand against their reputation. Stella must decide to open her heart and her mind to the possibility of something new, not just for Adam but for her. And would it be worth the risk.
I loved it! Stella and her son Adam were vacationing for the summer in Cobb Hill to get out in nature, but Stella had another motive as well. Riley is a man routinely living and looking after his ailing grandmother, trying to forget the past and the life he almost escaped from. He isn't expecting for this summer to change his humdrum life, even with the surprising renters to his family cabin.But when it changes for the better, he must decide if he's going to stay passive to his family's beliefs and let it hurt the ones he loves, or stand against their reputation. Stella must decide to open her heart and her mind to the possibility of something new, not just for Adam but for her. And would it be worth the risk.
May 31, 2021
Unrealistic and corny
I've loved pepper paced books in the past but this was truly awful. So unrealistic and super corny. It was very slow starting and the rest felt very rushed. I winced reading nearly every sentence. Also the issue of race was brought up excessively in my opinion and I say that as a black woman. I also found the different points of view very jarring, had to back a step many times to figure out who was talking.
I've loved pepper paced books in the past but this was truly awful. So unrealistic and super corny. It was very slow starting and the rest felt very rushed. I winced reading nearly every sentence. Also the issue of race was brought up excessively in my opinion and I say that as a black woman. I also found the different points of view very jarring, had to back a step many times to figure out who was talking.
May 28, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. I liked how the author pulls it all together. I found myself asking, how would I have handled that? I liked the characters and their issues. This is a great way to address real issues, if only we'd all sit, read and discuss. It may not change hearts totally, but it would open us to hard conversations.
February 7, 2018
I loved Riley and his character. However I thought Stella was too extreme. She was so militant that she appeared to hate one side of Adam. The romance just wasn't there. I still couldn't understand what Riley was miseducated on or about.
February 8, 2018
Out of the 4 books in this series, I’d say that I liked this one the most. Well, books 1 and 4 are my favorite. I’m also happy to read that Stella didn’t get pregnant. I was beginning to wonder if anyone on Cobb Hill knew about condoms 😂
Really good read!
Happy reading, friends ❤️📖
Really good read!
Happy reading, friends ❤️📖
August 8, 2019
Good book that had a twist
Good book it dug dip as far as racial issues and etc most books balance out with romance and race issues if that is the topic but this book ran face first into race and then keep romance in the mix great read I would recommend
Good book it dug dip as far as racial issues and etc most books balance out with romance and race issues if that is the topic but this book ran face first into race and then keep romance in the mix great read I would recommend
March 2, 2018
It was an okay read but I believe Riley was more misunderstood or should I say misjudged rather than miseducated.
March 4, 2018
Like it, wasn't my favorite by this author but it was good. Story was heavy on the race relations and not as heavy on the romance - didn't really feel the tension between the H and h.
March 10, 2019
Good Read!
I enjoyed the storyline and the characters. I only wished it was more to there romance it was to short for me.
I enjoyed the storyline and the characters. I only wished it was more to there romance it was to short for me.
September 9, 2018
I had forgotten how easy Ms. Pace novels can make you cry. I’ve only read four of her Novels to date. The last one being over three years ago. But The miseducation of Riley Pranger opened my eyes to what I’ve truly missed by Ms. Pace. She is a fantastic writer. Her novels are rooted most in reality. That why I hadn’t read one of her books in so long I didn’t want reality. I wanted fantasy; alpha males, billionaires etc. But Ms. Pace gives me real hard working-class people with real issues.
This was a slow pace romance but so well worth every second. I loved Riley although he seemed
to wear blinders when it came to his feeling concerning racisms and African Americans. He knew it was a big problem, especially in the small town he lived in but he ignored it, opting to stay neutral.
However, things would change when he rented out his spare house to a woman whom he had recently corresponded with through the mail. With only a name. Stella. Riley wasn’t aware of what the woman looked like. Naturally, he assumed she was Caucasian. Riley was utterly surprised when he opened his front door to find a very attractive statuesque African American woman standing on his front porch with a child in tow.
Stella, a free spirit, and no none sense woman sought Riley out for one reason and one reason only. Adam. Her son. However, she wasn’t prepared for the tall yet sexy bearded-man. Stella, although finding Riley attractive had to keep her wits about herself since she had immediately gathered Riley standoff behavior. She assumed it had to with her race, which surprised her considering he had a child by an African American woman. She further assumed that it was a mistake; his trip to the dark side one he wouldn’t likely make again. Stella went about her usual business taking Adam to the various destination the beautiful town had to offer.
Over time Riley warms to her and she to him. It had pleased Stella to see how much Riley adored Adam. She knew it was time she told him the truth. After an altercation with one of the locals, Stella realized how much she had misjudged Riley. Although his views were still slanted she understood given his upbringing and her run-in with his cousin. From that moment their relationship turned from casual to sexual. Stella begins to develop deep feelings for Riley which prompted her to tell him everything about Adam. Riley was socked but happy to know that Adam was his child. He already adored Adam and he was falling hard for Stella as well. But there new found bliss wouldn’t last long as another altercation with some racist townie turned their fun outing into a brawl. That incident put a strain on her relationship with Riley, as their views didn’t mesh which led them to part ways.
I love this story it's definitely a reread. I was shocked to find out that Adam was Riley’s child. I must stay I didn’t see that one coming. Again, that why I loved PP for her curb balls. The ending was fantastic. It took a bad accident and some time apart for Stella and Riley to realize how much they love one another given their different views on the world and race. Riley had come to realize the way things had been should have never been and he wanted to make a change concerning his beliefs.
The romance was slow to come but when it did it was hot and on point. And for the first time, I didn’t even mind that the story wasn’t filled with sex. I was just anxious to see how it would turn out. I loved every minute.
This was a slow pace romance but so well worth every second. I loved Riley although he seemed
to wear blinders when it came to his feeling concerning racisms and African Americans. He knew it was a big problem, especially in the small town he lived in but he ignored it, opting to stay neutral.
However, things would change when he rented out his spare house to a woman whom he had recently corresponded with through the mail. With only a name. Stella. Riley wasn’t aware of what the woman looked like. Naturally, he assumed she was Caucasian. Riley was utterly surprised when he opened his front door to find a very attractive statuesque African American woman standing on his front porch with a child in tow.
Stella, a free spirit, and no none sense woman sought Riley out for one reason and one reason only. Adam. Her son. However, she wasn’t prepared for the tall yet sexy bearded-man. Stella, although finding Riley attractive had to keep her wits about herself since she had immediately gathered Riley standoff behavior. She assumed it had to with her race, which surprised her considering he had a child by an African American woman. She further assumed that it was a mistake; his trip to the dark side one he wouldn’t likely make again. Stella went about her usual business taking Adam to the various destination the beautiful town had to offer.
Over time Riley warms to her and she to him. It had pleased Stella to see how much Riley adored Adam. She knew it was time she told him the truth. After an altercation with one of the locals, Stella realized how much she had misjudged Riley. Although his views were still slanted she understood given his upbringing and her run-in with his cousin. From that moment their relationship turned from casual to sexual. Stella begins to develop deep feelings for Riley which prompted her to tell him everything about Adam. Riley was socked but happy to know that Adam was his child. He already adored Adam and he was falling hard for Stella as well. But there new found bliss wouldn’t last long as another altercation with some racist townie turned their fun outing into a brawl. That incident put a strain on her relationship with Riley, as their views didn’t mesh which led them to part ways.
I love this story it's definitely a reread. I was shocked to find out that Adam was Riley’s child. I must stay I didn’t see that one coming. Again, that why I loved PP for her curb balls. The ending was fantastic. It took a bad accident and some time apart for Stella and Riley to realize how much they love one another given their different views on the world and race. Riley had come to realize the way things had been should have never been and he wanted to make a change concerning his beliefs.
The romance was slow to come but when it did it was hot and on point. And for the first time, I didn’t even mind that the story wasn’t filled with sex. I was just anxious to see how it would turn out. I loved every minute.
September 24, 2023
I must admit, after reading the Author’s Note, I almost skipped this book. Although I appreciate the warning, about the graphic racist and homophobic language, I feel that it could put potential readers off an otherwise great story.
Yes, there definitely is some hate speech and racism, both open and implied. But there is also an accepted history of domestic violence perpetrated on women and children by those that are supposed to love and protect them—their fathers and husbands. Take for instance, Sully Pranger, a cousin to the MMC, Riley. It’s anyone’s guess the man Sully may otherwise have become, had he not grown up systematically abused and indoctrinated into a culture of hate and violence. Having witnessed one such brutal incident, six year old Riley is traumatised and grows up to be a man averse to using his fist for such a purpose.
Stella Burton, the MFC, is no angel either and does not get to get away with her prejudice. Deep down, she paints all ‘white’ people with the same ‘Sully’ brush. Unfortunately while she is busy painting everyone else she got a few splatters on herself as well!
Riley got a lot of stick for his ‘sitting on the fence’ about the race issues happening around him because he would not ‘pick a side’. And why would he, when in the beginning, he had ‘no dog in that fight’. Unless you are a social justice advocate, most people would prefer to not get involved and are happy to live life on the sidelines. And that should be fine too.
When all is said and done, this is a good story which I enjoyed immensely and happily recommend it to anyone that likes interracial romance. I am glad that I chose to take a leap of faith and got to know Riley, Stella and their community on Cobb Hill.
Yes, there definitely is some hate speech and racism, both open and implied. But there is also an accepted history of domestic violence perpetrated on women and children by those that are supposed to love and protect them—their fathers and husbands. Take for instance, Sully Pranger, a cousin to the MMC, Riley. It’s anyone’s guess the man Sully may otherwise have become, had he not grown up systematically abused and indoctrinated into a culture of hate and violence. Having witnessed one such brutal incident, six year old Riley is traumatised and grows up to be a man averse to using his fist for such a purpose.
Stella Burton, the MFC, is no angel either and does not get to get away with her prejudice. Deep down, she paints all ‘white’ people with the same ‘Sully’ brush. Unfortunately while she is busy painting everyone else she got a few splatters on herself as well!
Riley got a lot of stick for his ‘sitting on the fence’ about the race issues happening around him because he would not ‘pick a side’. And why would he, when in the beginning, he had ‘no dog in that fight’. Unless you are a social justice advocate, most people would prefer to not get involved and are happy to live life on the sidelines. And that should be fine too.
When all is said and done, this is a good story which I enjoyed immensely and happily recommend it to anyone that likes interracial romance. I am glad that I chose to take a leap of faith and got to know Riley, Stella and their community on Cobb Hill.
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