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Hard Lessons
When his new student turns out to be a handsome property developer with a complicated past, teaching is the last thing on Jake’s mind.
When recently single Jake heads off to rural Somerset for a job interview as a reading teacher, he’s expecting his pupil to be a child, but it’s the handsome and charismatic property dealer Nathan Foley who needs his help. Their relationship quickly becomes sexual, and Jake worries he is rushing into another relationship too fast. And, as the heat between them intensifies, Jake begins to question Nathan’s motives.
Adding to the confusion is Nathan’s bitter older sister, Alice, who seems to have taken an instant dislike to Jake, as well as a strange man who Jake spots wandering around the grounds of the house.
What is Alice’s problem? Who is the handsome stranger? And are Nathan Foley’s feelings entirely genuine? Perhaps Jake is the one who is about to learn a hard lesson.
General Release 1st October 2019
When recently single Jake heads off to rural Somerset for a job interview as a reading teacher, he’s expecting his pupil to be a child, but it’s the handsome and charismatic property dealer Nathan Foley who needs his help. Their relationship quickly becomes sexual, and Jake worries he is rushing into another relationship too fast. And, as the heat between them intensifies, Jake begins to question Nathan’s motives.
Adding to the confusion is Nathan’s bitter older sister, Alice, who seems to have taken an instant dislike to Jake, as well as a strange man who Jake spots wandering around the grounds of the house.
What is Alice’s problem? Who is the handsome stranger? And are Nathan Foley’s feelings entirely genuine? Perhaps Jake is the one who is about to learn a hard lesson.
General Release 1st October 2019
70 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2019
16 people want to read
About the author
Samuel King
6 books11 followersSamuel King is London born and bred, and spent his twenties and thirties hanging out on the London gay scene, mixing with some true characters and even finding romance on a few occasions. Now more likely to be found eating in a nice restaurant on a Saturday night than clubbing, he also enjoys reading across many genres and watching films--especially old horror films and romantic comedies. He has had three novellas published by Pride Publishing and his first full-length male male romance, Darkwater House, will be out in September 2020.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 9, 2019
Jake is surprised when he realizes at a teaching job interview, that his student is not a kid but the boss of a successful business who seeks to improve his reading skills.
Nathan is the successful businessman that has been burnt due to his lack of reading skills.
Now the two men get it together almost instantly, hey it is a short story so its kind of has to be insta-love.
But Nathans sister is scheming behind their backs and almost causes them to end their relationship.
The story felt right apart from the speed but again it is a short story. I liked the characters even the evil sister (in a bad way). She certainly caused these two cute if prickly guys some trouble.
The story is about trust and taking a chance to reach for what you want. There are a few tears, lots of tension, and some aww moments.
Nathan is the successful businessman that has been burnt due to his lack of reading skills.
Now the two men get it together almost instantly, hey it is a short story so its kind of has to be insta-love.
But Nathans sister is scheming behind their backs and almost causes them to end their relationship.
The story felt right apart from the speed but again it is a short story. I liked the characters even the evil sister (in a bad way). She certainly caused these two cute if prickly guys some trouble.
The story is about trust and taking a chance to reach for what you want. There are a few tears, lots of tension, and some aww moments.
October 4, 2019
this was a 3.5 for me.. idk there were things in it that annoyed me or bugged me.. but overall it wasnt a bad story. the plot was good and interesting.. i think my main thing was i felt like their relationship was rushed.. it was like wam bam and they love.. lol i think i wanted more depth if that makes sense. it was still a good story though.
August 23, 2019
Fast read. Events move fast, emotions get involved quickly. Would have liked it a little more detailed but nice happy read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 23, 2020
This was a very decent short story. It is not a long read but it does have the element of suspense and some mystery to it, along with some sexy times. I was pleasantly surprised by the mystery part of this book. I will be honest and say that I figured out that portion of the story before it was revealed but I still enjoyed how everything played out.
Jake is need of something good in his life right now. Recently his now ex-boyfriend Matt broke things off with him by letting Jake know that he met and fell in love with someone else. So when an in-home, two-month tutoring job comes available, Jake applies for the position. He is expecting to be tutoring a child but it turns out he will be tutoring a very successful man.
Nathan is in need of a tutor to help him to learn to read better. He can get by but after his last employee stole from Nathan, he decided it was time to rely on himself and not someone else’s help. So that is where a tutor comes in. When Jake interviews for the position, Nathan hires him on the spot.
What neither man expected was for them to be attracted to each other. But everything is not as it seems in Nathan’s household. There are secrets that he is not aware of, along with deception. There is a strange man whom Jake has caught watching the house. And Alice, Nathan’s sister, really does not like Jake. What will happen when all the lies and deception come to light? Will Jake be able to forgive Nathan for his part in all the deception?
This was a really good short story. I really enjoyed it and I look forward to more books by Samuel King in the future.
NOTE: This book was provided by Pride Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Jake is need of something good in his life right now. Recently his now ex-boyfriend Matt broke things off with him by letting Jake know that he met and fell in love with someone else. So when an in-home, two-month tutoring job comes available, Jake applies for the position. He is expecting to be tutoring a child but it turns out he will be tutoring a very successful man.
Nathan is in need of a tutor to help him to learn to read better. He can get by but after his last employee stole from Nathan, he decided it was time to rely on himself and not someone else’s help. So that is where a tutor comes in. When Jake interviews for the position, Nathan hires him on the spot.
What neither man expected was for them to be attracted to each other. But everything is not as it seems in Nathan’s household. There are secrets that he is not aware of, along with deception. There is a strange man whom Jake has caught watching the house. And Alice, Nathan’s sister, really does not like Jake. What will happen when all the lies and deception come to light? Will Jake be able to forgive Nathan for his part in all the deception?
This was a really good short story. I really enjoyed it and I look forward to more books by Samuel King in the future.
NOTE: This book was provided by Pride Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
February 2, 2020
You'll find my review of the novella, “Hard Lessons” on my blog.
January 11, 2020
I wasn’t sure what to think about this book at first, but then I started to get a bit intrigued. I was irritated at what one of the MCs seems to be up to, because it just seemed like he was full of lies. But what we find out is so much worse.
Jake had just broken up with his boyfriend. Unfortunately, he was still stuck with living with the punk until he could get enough money to find another place. A job seems to come just in time to get him away from the mess that is his ex. But he walks from one mess into another. At first, he thinks it’s just mutual attraction, and plenty of it. But he soon sees his newly formed relationship walking out of a cottage with another man. A man that is his ex, that supposedly screwed him over. And then Jake finds out he’s just been played all along. And it’s time for him to go. But Nathan doesn’t want him to go and does all he can to get to Jake. But will it work and will it be enough or is Jake completely done?
Man, I feel for Jake. Going from one bad relationship to finding out you’re being used in another. And finding men with his ex and newly formed, whatever he is, is just too much. I don’t blame him a bit for wanting to run. And doing so. No matter the reasoning behind it, and it’s a doozy, he still didn’t deserve to be treated like crap or used the way he was. So I was torn with wanting to smack Nathan and the ex and for actually feeling a bit sorry Nathan for what he had been put through.
It’s kind of a strange story. But alright. You will find yourself caught up in the middle of a mess and a deranged person. But, like I said, not too bad.
http://lovebytesreviews.com/
Jake had just broken up with his boyfriend. Unfortunately, he was still stuck with living with the punk until he could get enough money to find another place. A job seems to come just in time to get him away from the mess that is his ex. But he walks from one mess into another. At first, he thinks it’s just mutual attraction, and plenty of it. But he soon sees his newly formed relationship walking out of a cottage with another man. A man that is his ex, that supposedly screwed him over. And then Jake finds out he’s just been played all along. And it’s time for him to go. But Nathan doesn’t want him to go and does all he can to get to Jake. But will it work and will it be enough or is Jake completely done?
Man, I feel for Jake. Going from one bad relationship to finding out you’re being used in another. And finding men with his ex and newly formed, whatever he is, is just too much. I don’t blame him a bit for wanting to run. And doing so. No matter the reasoning behind it, and it’s a doozy, he still didn’t deserve to be treated like crap or used the way he was. So I was torn with wanting to smack Nathan and the ex and for actually feeling a bit sorry Nathan for what he had been put through.
It’s kind of a strange story. But alright. You will find yourself caught up in the middle of a mess and a deranged person. But, like I said, not too bad.
http://lovebytesreviews.com/
August 25, 2019
Don't believe your lyin eyes! Jake recieves a double whammy and goes on an interview that will take care of his immediate needs. Nathan, experiencing a devestating deficit, requires Jake's skill. They have an instant connection which they both hide from each other. Alice is Nathan's sister suffering from the loss of her husband, Tony. Will is Nathan's ex who betrayed a sacred trust.Leila is Jake's best friend who provides wise councel. Good story. Short but good. Some parts could be expanded providing more content. It would have been great if the author writes longer stories.Can Jake help Nathan? Will Alice recover? Does Will come back? I enjoyed the story. I received an ARC from Booksprout for a review.
October 1, 2019
Thank you for the ARC read, I voluntarily give this book an honest review. Jake was looking to start q new chapter in his life after Matt breaks up with him. Taking a tutoring job in Somerset seemed just the thing. Meeting Nathan and the discovery his was to be his student was both shocking and exciting. Nathan was looking for a tutor but he seemed to be getting more then he was looking for or was he. There seemed to be a something more to Jake then just a tutor, but will he lose more, if goes through with his plan to use the younger man as bait?
This was a short and fast paced romance. With betrayal from family and ex's. Over all a great wonderful read.
This was a short and fast paced romance. With betrayal from family and ex's. Over all a great wonderful read.
October 3, 2019
The hot country boy and the hot city boy
Jake is running from a lover who dumped him. Hurting, he takes a two month temporary position out in the country as a remedial reading tutor . Too bad (good???) his pupil is a hot semi literate construction company owner.
What there is of the story is good. But the pace seems rushed, and we don't get to see how Jake heals from the emotional scars his ex inflicted. The story takes place over only a few days, so there is not time to develop their new relationship.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Jake is running from a lover who dumped him. Hurting, he takes a two month temporary position out in the country as a remedial reading tutor . Too bad (good???) his pupil is a hot semi literate construction company owner.
What there is of the story is good. But the pace seems rushed, and we don't get to see how Jake heals from the emotional scars his ex inflicted. The story takes place over only a few days, so there is not time to develop their new relationship.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 1, 2019
The storyline was good, the romance part moves along very, very quickly. The “intimate” situations were definitely plentiful. It seemed, at times, as if the entire story was based around their intimacy instead of the actual relationship. I would have liked to see more of their relationship unfold, possibly slower with a slight more depth. The characters Nathan and Jake were likable and Alice was somewhat unlikable, , as I’m assuming the author intended. Again, the storyline was enjoyable as was the HEA.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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October 8, 2019This author can certainly weave a fine tale, but I wish he'd take a bit more time about it. Double or even triple the length of this story and you'd have one fine atmospheric romantic suspense. As it stands the relationship is instalove and the tension is dissipated by rushing through the plot.
I believe some of the blame must lie with the editorial team. It is their job to guide the author, make suggestions as to improvements, and this book would have benefited from a longer build up of suspense.
That said, it was an enjoyable read. I just mourn for what it might have been.
I believe some of the blame must lie with the editorial team. It is their job to guide the author, make suggestions as to improvements, and this book would have benefited from a longer build up of suspense.
That said, it was an enjoyable read. I just mourn for what it might have been.
October 15, 2019
1.5 stars rounded down because still no 1/2 stars here on GR.
This one just didn't work for me. So please just sail on by me when you're reading reviews because I don't know maybe I was having a bad day or a day with unrealistic expectations but whatever it was things went south on this one really fast and stayed there...the one saving grace for me was it was short.
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An ARC of 'Hard Lessons' was graciously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This one just didn't work for me. So please just sail on by me when you're reading reviews because I don't know maybe I was having a bad day or a day with unrealistic expectations but whatever it was things went south on this one really fast and stayed there...the one saving grace for me was it was short.
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An ARC of 'Hard Lessons' was graciously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
October 2, 2019
This was a story about Jake and Nathan who come together when Jake is hired to be Nathan's reading instructor. They enter into a steamy liason and there are things going on around them that complicate their relationship. I would have liked this to be a longer more fleshed out story but it was fine as a quick read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 3, 2019
This was a good quick read for me. It was a little fast paced, and the intimacy started quickly. But I would've loved to have seen more of the relationship between Jake and Nathan considering the family and ex's involved. I would've loved some depth and backstory because this couldve been a really great book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 1, 2019
3.5 Stars....I think the story could have been a little more developed but the premise was good. I did like Jake and Nathan and their story. Again, with a little more development with the characters it would have been a better read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 3, 2019
3.5 Stars
This was a super quick, fast pace, with insta-lust story.
There was actually quite a bit going on in this story for being so short and it was rather enjoyable. I do have a few questions and would have liked to see Jake heal a little more before his relationship with Nathan progressed.
Both Jake and Nathan are likable. Alice, not so much, but there’s a good reason for that.
This was a super quick, fast pace, with insta-lust story.
There was actually quite a bit going on in this story for being so short and it was rather enjoyable. I do have a few questions and would have liked to see Jake heal a little more before his relationship with Nathan progressed.
Both Jake and Nathan are likable. Alice, not so much, but there’s a good reason for that.
September 30, 2019
Hard Lessons by Samuel King is a short read but filled with drama, mystery, suspense, miscommunications, and steam. The characters are interesting and I wanted to know much more about them. Nathan and Jake are really hot together and I liked their chemistry together. The story was entertaining.
October 11, 2019
Was a good read, fast but well put together. I enjoyed it . Emotions were fast, a lesson was learned and around it was enjoyable
July 6, 2020
This is a intriguing story of love, lust and trust. When Jake interviews for a private teaching job, he's stunned to be hired immediately, without many questions being asked by the man he's to teach, Nathan. Nathan starts to come on to Jake the night he moves in. Jake is bothered by this, having just broken up with his boyfriend, and it being his first night. The next day Nathan invites him out, and comes onto Jake again, and this time Jake is willing to go for it. Unfortunately, not everything is what it looks like, and not everyone is honest about who they are. It's a really good quick story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This is my honest and voluntary opinion of it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This is my honest and voluntary opinion of it.
October 12, 2019
Seeking escape and something new leads to an unexpected love, betray and more. Interesting and convoluted plot will keep you engaged. The MC's and secondary characters are engaging and the story-line is creative.
Jake and Nathan have lots of steam over a very shot time. There are lots of the story that i would have enjoyed having more of to fully appreciate their connection. Having more depth to this story would have made it really good.
I was gifted this book from Gay Book Promotions and i freely give my honest opinion and review.
Jake and Nathan have lots of steam over a very shot time. There are lots of the story that i would have enjoyed having more of to fully appreciate their connection. Having more depth to this story would have made it really good.
I was gifted this book from Gay Book Promotions and i freely give my honest opinion and review.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews