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The Best Lesson Learned

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With a Dear John letter stuck to the front door and the locks changed, decisions need to be made. Kim, a police officer and mother to her son Cory, has to find some traction in her life when everything around her is spiralling out of control. With the help of her friends and parents, she moves herself and her son across the country in search of a fresh start.

Terri is Cory’s flirtatious kindergarten teacher who immediately feels an electrifying spark with Kim on their first encounter. Will Kim have the nerve to act on her feelings for Terri? Can Terri be the woman that heals Kim’s broken heart and help her create the family that she has always wanted?

184 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 6, 2018

29 people are currently reading
18 people want to read

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Charlie Conwell

13 books25 followers

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5 stars
27 (36%)
4 stars
26 (35%)
3 stars
13 (17%)
2 stars
4 (5%)
1 star
3 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
365 reviews42 followers
April 30, 2018
The Best Lesson Learned tries a little too hard and delivers not quite enough.

Charlie Conwell needed an experienced editor to smooth out the rough edges of this short novel. The main characters break apart from one family, but forge together to make a better one. Kim Rhodes has a four year old son named Cory who communicates like a forty year old. He thinks, speaks and acts unlike any child his age. He dearly loves his mommy and knows that his mom doesn't want him. Kim and Orla have been together for six years, but the lawyer has zero time, interest or energy for her police officer girlfriend or their young son. Kim gets more love and support from her best friend and childcare provider than Orla. After vanishing for a week, Orla tosses Kim and Cory out of the house, changes the locks and leaves a letter on the door telling them to get lost.

Kim's mother and friends encourage her to pull up stakes, take Cory and move out of town. Her mother gives her a new home, arranges her transfer to a new job and steps in to help care for Cory. The settling in process means enrolling Cory in kindergarten classes at a new school. Meeting Terri Wallace, the kindergarten teacher, is a flabbergasting experience for Kim. The two women might as well tie the knot in their first scene together. Look out uhauling or instalove or love at first sight or soulmate enchantment, Kim and Terri have taken it to the next level. Terri wins over Kim, her son, her mother, her friends and her workmates.

The Best Lessons Learned relies heavily on dialogue to move the plot forward. The only exception is when Kim and Terri do the "dance with no pants between the sheets." The sexcapades of this couple are epic. I wouldn't even try to describe these scenes, but they are action packed with very little dialogue. This entirely unbelievable and inexpertly written novel has its charms. Terri, Kim and Cory thrive as a family in ways that Orla was incapable of comprehending. The book has an internal logic that I can't quite understand, but I did enjoy reading it. I wish that Conwell hadn't made every unfulfilled desire come true for Kim and Cory, but this was a hardcore "take no prisoners" romance. I admit that part of me loves to see lesbian characters fall effortlessly into love. I'd rate this novel at less than three stars and I wonder how other readers will respond to it.
Profile Image for C.
737 reviews77 followers
April 22, 2018
Not bad...

This is the second book, i think, that I have read from this author. Overall it was an okay read and she almost reminds me of author Lydia Rose is some of her works. Its very simple sentence structure...almost too simple to the point of little variation. It's very dialogue heavy with little description of characters or the world around them. And at times the dialgue didn't flow...it felt stiff, not at all how two friends would talk to each other or even how a 4 year old would talk (i think that might have irked me the most...the 4 year old spoke in complete sentences and probably better than me).
So why a 3* rating you may ask. Well, I overall liked where the story could have gone and been. She's a kindleUnlimited author so I didn't ferl cheated out of money and my time is my own. Also, maybe with an editor or beta-readers future works will grow and become more. It wont be for everyone but I'll contunue to read some of works to see how and if she grows.
Profile Image for Amy Girard.
34 reviews2 followers
October 3, 2018
Overall a good story

The story itself is really good but there are parts of it that aren't quite right. The dialogue seemed a bit off at times and not enough character description. You get acquainted with the charters as the story progresses but you don't really get to know them. Also, the dialogue of a 4yr old is way off at times. On the upside there are definitely some steamy sex scenes with a very happy ending. I recommend it but don't expect a wow factor.
Profile Image for Aris Duarte.
288 reviews3 followers
January 12, 2019
I sually don't like to leave bad reviews or ratings under 4 stars, but I couldn't help it with this book. This is the first time I was wishing to reach the end of the story because of the inconsistencies.

First of all, Kim had the most "perfect" 4 year old, I've been a teacher for over 10 years and trust me, a kid like Cory doesn't exist. Second, you can't be so touch-y with a new parent at school, you are encourage to have a good relationship with the parents, but don't do that! Another things, there are video cameras inside the classrooms, so you'll get fired if you even think of kissing a parent in your classroom (even if you are involve with each other), specially if you have sex on the classroom desk, plus, why was she doing at school during the summer break?

This book was very unrealistic, showing perfect lives, perfect kids and perfect too many things, I think the author was just trying to fill a school fantasy by getting the characters to have sex at school.

Make yourself a favor and don't read this book.
Profile Image for Carol Hutchinson.
1,111 reviews73 followers
April 3, 2019
This was a lovely little story.

It started out rocky for Kim when her life, and her adorable little son Cory’s are turned upside down. Moving back to where her parents live is a new lease of life for them though, and she meets Terri.

I loved the playfulness between Kim and Terri when they meet at Cory’s new school. It wasn’t long before they were forming a relationship, helped of course by the fact that Cory is completely adorable and how could Terri resist getting involved with his super, awesome, cool cop mom.

Of course, as with all good romance this book wasn’t without drama, surprises, and a whole lot of chemistry between the main characters. There were so many cute moments, and surprises, that it gave the book a nice balance.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves romance, with a dose of action, and the element of surprise.
1,172 reviews
March 29, 2023
This Was Heartbreaking and Heartwarming!

I downloaded a bunch of Charlie Connell’s books after reading one. I really love this writer. She has a touch of heartbreak followed by sweetness that keeps you interested until the end with a conclusion that makes you smile. The characters were strong and vulnerable. I am a sucker for children in a great story. I love the coupling of Kim and Terri. Kim, a police officer, is dumped by her partner is the most cruel and hurtful way. Taking her son and what’s left of her life, she moves near her Mom and Dad. When Kim meets her sons kindergarten teacher, she is flustered and it appears so is Terri. I love how the story flows and where it takes all involved. A good one!
1,119 reviews6 followers
November 8, 2018
The basic elements of this story: unexpected break-up, relocation, loving again have the makings of a good read. However in this case the plot would benefit greatly from another round of editing to smooth out the dialog and reduce the laundry list of details (e.g. the many steps involved in moving) that detracted from the story itself. Additional research on US jurisdictional differences would also be helpful -- moving to a police department in an entirely different state is not quite as simple as submitting a transfer request form to your boss.
17 reviews
May 22, 2018
Fan fiction?

This story read like Fan fiction. The characters were two dimensional, and did not act like adults. With some research this book could have been much better. It seemed like the lawyer didn't know law, the police officer magically transferred between states, and the kindergarten teacher...well...she'd have been on a plan to get her back in line with teaching standards. I still read the whole thing, so some of the story had merit. Keep at it, research, create.
Profile Image for Michelle  Schuler.
921 reviews12 followers
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October 29, 2021
Fun read

Based on how many times I've read this book I decided it needs all five stars. Its a cute book by Charlie Conwell that makes me happy. There is zero angst between the main MCs but there is angst with the ex. I love the fiery chemistry between the couple, the police office and teacher trope as well. I will continue to read books by this author.
262 reviews6 followers
September 17, 2018
Another one.

Im so pleased that Kim found Terri,especially after the way things ended with Orla. It just proves after one door slams shut another one opens. I really love reading Charlie's work and hope there is a part 2.
96 reviews2 followers
March 24, 2022
Well damn

All that I could think about was the Van Halen song Hot for Teacher cuz damn. I'm just gonna say that classroom scene got me opening windows in 40 degree weather. I've read almost all of Charlie's books and have one more so I hope she gets some new stuff out soon
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews

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