Trouble

by Devon McCormack

KYLE - Trouble. That’s all I am to people in this town. They’re always waiting for me to mess up—prove them right. But I’m happy to keep to myself and mind my own business to survive my senior year at Wyachet High. Then one rainy Monday morning I meet the dirty blond in glasses. A confusing first encounter turns awkward, but it’s short-lived since James Warner has a way of setting me at ease. Mr. Warner, I should say. Teach. A fumbling nerd with a tendency to slip Milton and Shakespeare into conversation, he’s a peculiar mix of charm, wit, vulnerability, and protectiveness. Curiosity leads to intrigue, which leads to…I don’t even know anymore. Not a day in class goes by where I don’t catch myself admiring the way he fills out one of his tight button-downs…hoping I’ll catch his gaze at just the right moment…wondering if he bites his lip after a bad joke just to drive me out of my g*ddamn mind. I’ve never been like this over a guy…and he’s never been into guys at all. What am I doing crushing on my straight teacher? And why is it that, the more time we spend together, the more I feel like something between us is changing? No, it isn’t possible, and even if it were, he has too much to lose. It’s trouble with a capital T. We could never cross that line.We won’t. We can’t. We shouldn’t. But if only we could…

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, High School, Contemporary, LGBT, Bisexual, Queer

428 pages, Paperback

First published August 10, 2020

About the author

Devon McCormack grew up in the Georgia suburbs with his two younger brothers and an older sister. At a very young age, he spun tales the old fashioned way, lying to anyone and everyone he encountered. He claimed he was an orphan. He claimed to be a king from another planet. He claimed to have supernatural powers. He has since harnessed this penchant for tall tales by crafting worlds and characters that allow him to live out whatever fantasy he chooses. Devon is an out and proud queer man living in Atlanta, Georgia.

Devon's body of work ranges from erotica to young adult, so readers should check the synopses of his books before purchasing so that they know what they're getting into.

Reviews

[Oscar · Rating 3 out of 5]

"I could fucking worship you."

Time to swim against the tides with this one.

I immediately lost my interest in Trouble the moment one of the MCs started talking like those edgy teens in Riverdale. For a highschooler, the way he talks and acts felt highly unrealistic to me. No 18 year old talk like this. Stop being edgy! You still have homework in British Lit!

Also, I didn't vibed with the romance. I'm here for all the taboo and forbidden but this wasn't it. Too smooth sailing. Nothing momentous or controversial was happening. No bumps in the road until the very end. I wish there were more drama in it, more angst. For a forbidden romance, I wanted something nastier. Everything just felt shallow. It tried so hard to be this top tier romance when in the end it wasn't. This is my first from McCormack and I'm highly devastated.

[Elise ✘ a.k.a Ryder's Pet ✘ · Rating 3 out of 5]

⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱*Might Contain Spoilers*⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱

The book centers around student Kyle Forsythe (18, turns 19) and British Lit teacherJames ‘Big Man’ Warner (in his 20s - most likely between 23-27). James is just out of a abusive marriage and Kyle is just trying to finish school. Little did they knew that the connection between the two men will help heal them both. Overall, the book was really interesting up until the romance started. I'm not saying that it got boring or unlikable after that, it's just that it lost a bit of its spark.

It also, for some reason, bothered me that James didn't reacted in anyway to finding himself interested in a man for the first time. It also bothered me - which I actually don't know why - that there was a lot of tears. In some way it made Kyle - the dark and mysterious felt a bit weak when he continued to shred tears here and there. It showed his age in a way. He was not a weak character at all, neither was James, it just gave me the feeling of having to many weak moments which kinda made the character Kyle was when first introduced disappear sometimes.

That being said, I did like the book. It was cute and healing and enjoyable. I just wanted more, you know? It was predictable and had little to no drama. But I liked the theme, though it didn't feel like a teacher-student theme. I also liked Kyle more in the beginning - he was quite dominant - then he kinda lost that mysterious side to him the more we got to know him. He was just a tortured soul who needed some healing and let people in and show his beautiful nice side.

Quick basic facts:
Genre: - (NA) Contemporary Romance (M/M).
Series: - Standalone.
Love triangle? - No.
Cheating? - No.
HEA? - Yes.
Favorite character? - Kyle Forsythe.
Would I read more by this author/or of series? - Sure.
Would I recommend this book/series? - Sure.
Will I read this again in the future? - Yes.
Rating - 3.5/3 stars.

[Papie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really excited about this book, and I really wanted to love it. And did you see that cover? :::swoon:::It has a small age-gap, hurt/comfort, teacher-student relationship, first time gay. But also a horrible ex wife, abusive parents, loss of a loved one by suicide (not on page). And it’s just a little too much packed in one story.

And the writing was overdone too, like it was trying so hard to be a romantic romance. Nobody talks like that IRL, with non stop declarations of feelings. And I would have liked a bit less time in the characters’ heads, and a bit more action on paper. I feel like it could have easily been 100 pages shorter, and I spent a lot of time wishing it was.

That being said, the two MCs were really sweet, sexy, cute together. The sex scenes were hot. Their friends were a fun gang, and I really liked Uncle Tex.

[Devon McCormack]

LINK: mybook.to/TroubleNovel

[Maisha Farzana · Rating 3 out of 5]

~ 3.5 ~

Soooo Good. Yet something felt missing.

Missing reality
Missing proper ending
Missing chemistry
Missing conflict
Missing - the tears I was so ready to shed.

However the book was very emotional and had an amazing plot. I love a good forbidden romance and it was Good. Just some parts appeared out of the blue - to irritate me...lol

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ 4 stars ⭐️

My cheeks warmed as the realization became impossible to deny: I was crushing on my teach. Fuck me.

Ooooh, I love a good teacher/student romance.

⁠♡ Pining
⁠♡ We shouldn’t, but we can’t resist
⁠♡ Longing stares
⁠♡ Secret relationship
⁠♡ Romantic slow dancing and picnics

“I’ve always been so good at playing by the rules, and I finally have too good a reason not to.”

I loved the tension between Kyle and James, how they slowly got closer, the comfort they found in each other.

We were thieves, stealing every opportunity, every moment that we could from the universe, greedily storing up everything so we could share it with one another.

The spice was a bit unrealistic, what with the no lube ever and the stair sex (trust me, that’s just uncomfortable and not sexy), but I liked how passionate they were.

The last 30 percent was a little cheesier than I would’ve preferred, and the ex drama very cliché, but I still really enjoyed these two and their delicious forbidden love story.

I’d never expected falling to feel so much like flying.

CW and NSFW info (spoilers):
- Mentions of past cheating (not MCs)
- Discussions of child abuse & domestic violence (past)
- Mentions of conversion camp (not MCs)
- Death of a family member (past, off page)
- Sex on page w/OP (before MCs get together)
- Age gap (maybe 10 years?)
- Vers MCs
- Spit as lube
- Rimming
- Coming hands-free

[Mariam, · Rating 3 out of 5]

What fucked-up kind of world made it so the most twisted of memories haunted us forever while those most precious slipped from our grasp within the span of an hour

This book was soft as hell and cute and so mushy gushy but it was a bit tooooo slowburn for my taste.

Christ, I thought I read slow burn before but this book? It was slower than a snail for all I could've known.

But surprisingly It fit this story. And as always, there always is a subtle beauty is watching in our lead characters slowly get to know each other

Just sad it didn't fit for me.

“You guys are lucky,” he said, addressing the class. “I had a tumble into a puddle this morning and learned just how see-through this shirt was. Was close to you guys calling me Mr. Nipples throughout the rest of the semester.”
The class laughed, and we caught each other’s gazes.
He wore a friendly smile.
I was shocked.
Any other teacher might have been too proud to mention it,

I don't really have that much thoughts other than the fact that I really wanted to like this and I ended up ending this book kind of... Wanting more but also kind of satisfied?

Yeah I know this review is shit 🤡 but I really don't care 🤐😬 soooooooooo final thoughts go: although the writing was powerful at times, I did kind of throw me off the book at times, if you know what I mean?

Also, I don't know why but I thought this book was set off in college. Not HIGHSCHOOL 💀

Regardless. Here's some wise words of the year:

“Does that all seem fair, Simon?”
“Beyond fair. Thank you, Mr. Warner.”
“It’s high school, not prison. You can make some mistakes here and there. If you need to ever chat about anything, feel free to swing by, during office hours or not. Life’s tough sometimes, but you don’t have to do it all on your own, okay?”






“If I were your wife, I wouldn’t try to control you. I wouldn’t demean you or insult you, and I especially wouldn’t disrespect you by running around. I would fucking worship you, because I would know what a fucking incredible human being you are, and that your love and respect are worth my fucking worshipping the ground you walk on. I would cherish you, because I know how fucking hard it is to find someone who isn’t in it just for themselves, who puts others’ needs above their own. So I would always put yours above mine, knowing, being absolutely certain, that you would do the same for me.”






I didn’t want his pity, but at the same time, what kind of person would he have been if he’d read that and not felt some?






"I spend so much time trying to do things to make that pain go away…and then I touched you, and we shared that kiss, and in a moment, something I spent my life trying to make go away, it was all gone, and I was free, really fucking free.”






“Pain doesn’t have an age limit.”
“I didn’t mean it that way. Just doesn’t seem right or fair.”
“None of it is right or fair. The world makes all these goddamn rules we have to blindly obey. And it feels like every rule is just to keep us from having a moment where we can think clearly, a moment where we can fucking breathe without the weight of the universe crushing us, fucking suffocating us.”






“Everything’s going to change, Kyle.”
“Everything’s already changed.” He kissed me again.
He was right.
Because before Kyle, there was only pain and hurt. And after him…it was like I’d just learned how to really breathe for the first time.
In a dark world of so much despair, I found a speck of light. Even if it dimmed or faded…or was cut off, to know it had existed for any stretch of time was better than the alternative.




Her gaze was right on me, that friendly expression, revealing her kindness, the sort that reminded me that, in spite of all the bad from my and Kyle’s pasts, there were good people in the world too. The world could be so cruel and take so much, but it could also be kind and giving.

Initial Reactions!

I just.... Can't believe I've only now read this author.

[ivy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️
Sweet, low stress student/teacher romance.
I like the “he’s actually a good boy but has a bad boy reputation” trope, so this worked for me.
Everyone is 18+

[Demon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't anymore. This book is taking way to much effort. I've exam in 3 days and I'd read my textbook because that is less draining that trying to complete this book.

I can't believe I actually finished it 😳

[Michael S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truth time: I might have avoided this one if I’d read the blurb more carefully before starting, but I’m glad I didn’t.

Teacher-student romance is generally taboo in my book even if the student is 18+. The fact that the teacher is himself a young man makes it a bit less squicky, but there’s no getting around the imbalance of power between a high school student and their instructor. Both MCs are carrying some very heavy baggage that makes their budding romance at once more relatable and more questionable.

That said, this story was an enjoyable challenge read. When else am I going to put myself in the shoes of a couple like this? I didn’t need to agree fully with their choices, and some parts did make me uncomfortable, but I could understand their feelings and the circumstances that contributed to their situation.

If the taboo subject is a hard no, then I’d probably pass. If you’re curious as to how their relationship develops (it is definitely a slow burn from the start) and how both characters deal with the ramifications of their choices, it’s pretty fascinating since they’re easy to like and empathize with.

[Elsbeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

*4.5 stars*

Loved this book. Had been quite some time that I read something from Devon McCormack. And it didn't disappoint at all.

Both characters Kyle and James were charming and I totally believed their chemistry. They belonged with each other, were each other's "secrets keepers"

[John Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was reminded of James Baldwin’s ‘Go Tell It On The Mountain’ whilst reading this. Like Baldwin’s book, it more than touches on abusive relationships – child/ parent, husband/wife; including the ways in which religion and all that goes with it can be used to mask abuse, and twisted to cause serious harm, intentionally or not. A tale of conflicting ‘moralities’. Add to this the two central characters are young teacher James and his 18 + student Kyle and their developing full-on relationship.

I enjoyed reading it and the pretty cover (Kyle, presumably) was a bonus!

[Aimee Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devon McComack does it for me every time. Such a good story teller.

We follow James and Kyle. I love when we can get both perspectives from our characters so we know exactly what they are thinking.

James has moved to a new town with a new teaching job after finally leaving his bitch of a wife. I really didn't like her. After a rough start to his first day, James is "rescued" by a mysterious good looking guy whom happens to be one of his students. Kyle is a senior this year and just wants to get past this year so he can move on with his life. He hasn't had the best life growing up, but now lives with his Uncle. And despite the bad boy rumors that's been going around since he left home, he's made out pretty well. He definitely notices the new hot nerdy teacher he rescued that morning from the rain, but he knows he can only admire him from a distance. But when James offers extra credit activities after school for his students, Kyle finds himself coming along to all of them. They start to find a friendship with each other, until one night they can't control what they really feel anymore.

I loved the forbidden romance feel of the story, but I also loved that that's not what the story was focused on. Yes, it's there, but we get more of each of our characters stories. Both James and Kyle have had a history of pain and lost. Finding each other was a breath of fresh air.

Highly highly recommend.

[Lorenzo Adduci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quando ho iniziato a leggere “Trouble” dello scrittore americano Devon McCormack ho avuto subito l’impressione di trovarmi di fronte a un romanzo più maturo e intenso rispetto ad altre opere di questo autore che pure avevo apprezzato. Quella tra Kyle Forsythe e James Warner, infatti, non è una semplice storia tra studente e professore, ma un incontro tra due anime ferite che si riconoscono e cercano di guarirsi a vicenda, trovando nel reciproco amore un modo per farsi forza e riscattarsi da un doloroso passato: "La sua espressione si era trasformata, e avevo passato abbastanza tempo a contemplare il mio passato guardando il mio riflesso in uno specchio per sapere che aspetto avessero il dolore e la sofferenza".
L’autore ha delineato i caratteri dei due protagonisti con delicatezza e sensibilità, indagando le rispettive anime e consentendoci di osservare l’evolversi dei loro desideri e sentimenti. Quando Kyle e James si incontrano il primo giorno di scuola, il diciottenne si prodiga per aiutare quello che scoprirà poi essere il suo professore di inglese, alle prese con pioggia battente e pozzanghere insidiose. Nessuno dei due immagina che le loro vite cambieranno radicalmente nell’arco di poche settimane, ma già con quel primo incontro entrambi iniziano a percepire una particolare connessione.
James è un nerd attraente e imbranato, professore di letteratura, amante delle opere di William Shakespeare e Jane Austen, in procinto di divorziare da una donna che lo ha ferito profondamente e da cui ha subito un condizionamento psicologico tale da indurlo in uno stato di frustrazione.
Kyle, invece, è un diciottenne all’ultimo anno di liceo, con una fama e un atteggiamento, almeno in apparenza, da cattivo ragazzo, ma in realtà molto più sensibile e maturo della sua età. Anche lui nasconde un passato di dolore subito a causa di persone che avrebbero dovuto prendersi cura di lui.
James, molto più attento rispetto alla maggioranza dei suoi colleghi, mostra una spiccata sensibilità nei confronti dei problemi dei propri studenti e questo lo porta a interessarsi a quel ragazzo così schivo nei confronti degli altri, che mostra un’ottima attitudine alla lettura, con uno spirito critico nei confronti di personaggi ed eventi narrati in opere famose che sembra celare un disagio più profondo. Tutto questo, unito alla curiosità di Kyle verso quell’insegnante che lo intriga sempre di più e alle lunghe discussioni sui libri, sulle sofferenze reciproche, sulle aspirazioni per il futuro, dà vita a un’amicizia sempre più intensa che sfocia in un legame che va oltre il confine consentito tra studente e professore.
L’autore ha dimostrato un grande equilibrio nel raccontare lo sviluppo di questo rapporto rispettando i tempi narrativi dello slow burn senza rinunciare alla componente erotica che viene collocata al momento giusto, ovvero quando il desiderio reciproco a lungo trattenuto non può più essere ignorato. Devon ha abituato i lettori dei suoi romanzi a una fisicità immediata e spontanea nelle interazioni tra i due protagonisti. Ma in questo caso la sensualità è uno scoprirsi reciproco da parte di un ragazzo a suo agio con la propria bisessualità, ma per la prima volta alle prese con sentimenti più profondi, e un uomo che sta riscoprendo aspetti della propria sessualità finora ignorati.
Posso concludere affermando che “Trouble” è un romanzo sorprendente, che mostra una decisa evoluzione stilistica da parte dell’autore e un ottimo approfondimento dei personaggi (inclusi i numerosi personaggi secondari che hanno un ruolo importante nella storia), una narrazione intima e brillante nello stesso tempo che ci parla di amicizia, di sentimenti e di rinascita, arricchita da interessanti riferimenti letterari: «Pensavo che l’incontro con James mi avesse portato alla vita, ma in realtà, era come se niente fino a quel momento fosse stato veramente reale. Come se questo fosse tutto ciò per cui valeva la pena vivere, e io non lo avevo veramente saputo, non avrei potuto saperlo, finché non lo avessi sperimentato di persona».

[Tiash . · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wept and died silently! It's beautiful!

RTC (:

Instagram

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una dolcezza infinita!!

[Donna]

Dnf @65%. May just be my mood.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why did this feel like the longest book ever?
I did like it, poor Kyle just broke my heart....loved watching him grow and get better. James on the other hand, as much I liked him, him always caving to his ex's manipulations became a little too much for me.
Loved the uncle and friends of course. the moment the uncle stuttered while getting ice cream, I was like oh shit....and watching Kyle breakdown was the most heartbreaking scene ever, nearly had me in tears.
I get that the ex wife was a terrible person but some moments were just too over the top crazy. And why is every female ex in mm romance book world made out to be evil, almost every time. If it isn't an over the top, nosy talkative female best friend its an unpleasant female ex, aren't there nice people out there.

[Simona · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was definitely good, I like this kind of writing.
Despite the other books by this author, I liked it shightly less, something was missing, probably the spark I saw in other stories.
That was a slowburn so slow that at first I was not sure there would be a romance at all 🤣

[Valentina Campi · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Layla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ready to be blown away by a book? I read this in 1 sitting and couldn't for the life of me put it down. Forget adulting... I wanted to emmerse myself in what is absolutely Devon's best work yet!

***Highly Recommended Romance***

For fans of #AgeGap #BiAwakening #TeacherStudentRomance

Why read this book...

1. The MCs...
Kyle, 18, is what the townspeople call a bad seed, a trouble maker. But he is so far removed from that, and who better to peel the layers and shi3w the real Kyle, than James.... #YouSeeMe

James, Kyle's English Lit Teacher, is going through a harsh divorce after his B!$ of a wife is a cheating cheater who cheats! Ahem.... excuse the rant.
James is a marshmallow who sees the real Kyle and starts an innocent friendship with him after he sees that Kyle is more than the rumors that swirl around him... #IBelieveInYou

2. The Relationship....
There is attraction from Kyle's side from the beginning, but he ignores it in favor of James' friendship. James is just helping his student. The way their feelings shift and change is so seamless and organic. I believed every minute of it. #ItFeelsReal

3. The Secrets...
Don't fret! These secrets bring James and Kyle together. They are secrets that they only tell each other, that bring them closer and establishes the base of their relationship. #NoSecretsBetweenUs

4. The UST and the Heat...
Kyle is the more experienced one here, and James is the one who has to discover what he likes. Kyle is a great teacher for sure and after a bit of push and pull, their sensuality burns up the pages... #FeelsSoGood

5. The Rep...
You have alot of rep in the book. From bisexuals to gays and demisexuals. It all adds to the realness of the book. #WeAreHereWeAreQueer

6. The Taboo...
Even though Kyle is 18, he is still James' student. They have to hide and sneak around. But through it all, they are together and there for each other in the good and the bad. They throw caution to the wind in favor of being in each other's lives. #AlwaysByYourSide

7. The HEA...
After all they go though, Mr. McCormack gives them the ending they deserve. This book is romantic and dreamy and hopeful and their HEA reflects all that and more. #ForeverIsJustTheBeginning

8. The Cover....
I mean, WOW! The cover shows Kyle who is perfect for who you want to imagine while reading. I'll post a picture of my James...

#HappyReading

https://www.amazon.com/Trouble-Devon-...

[Sandy Ale · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Es que... no sabía que podía sentirme tan feliz"

LA AMÉ ✨

Empecé a leer esta novela para salir del bloqueo aprovechando que no tiene tanta trama involucrada y es de amor, pero OMG, era lo que necesitaba para mi corazón.

La historia de por sí se centra en James y en Kyle contando los capítulos intercalando ambas perspectivas, lo cual me encantó a pesar de no estar acostumbrada a la narración en primera persona. El cómo surgió el amor me pareció tan natural y bonito, la comunicación entre ellos es TOP, adoré que ambos se brinden apoyo mental (en la búsqueda para el otro de ayuda psicológica) sin caer en que "el amor cura cualquier enfermedad". Ambos son una pareja hermosa que se ayudan a crecer mutuamente y que vale la pena leer ❤️

[Racheal Celatka yunk · Rating 5 out of 5]

It seems like forever since I was able to lose myself in one of Devon's books. This book was definitely worth the wait.

In today's era the relationship that these two MC's have wouldn't be taboo in it's self but the situation that they are in is what brings in the taboo factor.

When two lonely and abused (physically and mentally) men confide in each other, what started out as friends that brought each other comfort and opened each other's eyes to a past that each were too tired to face alone turned into two souls finding each other.

Never judge a book by its cover is how the saying goes, but come from prominent family with ties to the whole community, and Kyle's truth means nothing. Once he is kicked out from his home he is labeled a troubled kid. If it weren't for the love of one person he may have not made it to where he is now.

Years of a marriage that just was working, affair after affair. Being told continuously that he was to blame, that last affair did it. He wanted out! He moved out, got a new teaching job and was ready to start again.

When these two men's collide things will never be the same again. I was drawn in from the beginning with these two. I went on their journey together with them. I celebrated their highs, cried during their lows, and cheered for them when they faced controversy. This is an amazing read.

[Taid Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

McCormack's writing in the novel is beautifully done. It is not elaborate in some way that gets in the way of the complex story line that includes interesting backgrounds for both main characters. Some might want to call the the novel simply a growth story, but it is far more. Enjoy.

[~BookNeeds~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The angst!!!! I kept thinking “this is it, they’re gonna get caught!” I don’t usually go for teacher-student tropes but this immediately sucked me in. A very good, sweet and endearing read!!! I will be looking more in Devon’s other books.

[Amur Thera · Rating 5 out of 5]

The good
+ The slowburn
+ Kyle going for James 100%
+ Their complete honesty with each other
+ How they opened up about their vulnerabilities to each other
+ Kyle going to a therapist
+ James as a teacher. The world needs more teachers like him
+ James fully supporting Kyle's plans for his future
+ Kyle's friends and uncle. They really were what he needed and deserved
+ Kendra. She was mature and reasonable about everything that happened
+ The way James and Kyle had no walls when they were with each other
+ How they both acknowledged their relationship was more important than any consequences
+ The complete trust and faith they had in each other
+ No jealousy

The neutral
o Okay but seriously who was Matthew's dad?
o I would have liked to have seen Ben and Taryn's first converstation with Kyle after they found out, but on the other hand, they were completely supportive regardless

The bad
- James also really needed therapy. Emotional abuse is still abuse
- While there was a satisfying enough fuck you to Sheila, I really missed some fuck yous to Kyle's parents, the principal (and other teachers), and the townsfolk. I know it's not what Kyle wanted, but it is what he deserved
- They never used lube! First time anal with just spit just sounds really painful...

Quotes
x "I wouldn't try to control you. I wouldn't demean you or insult you, and I especially wouldn't disrespect you by running around. I would fucking worship you, because I would know what a fucking incredible human being you are, and that your love and respect are worth fucking worshipping the ground you walk on. I would cherish you, because I know how fucking hard it is to find someone who isn't in it just for themselves, who puts others' needs above their own. So I would always put yours above mine, knowing, being absolutely certain, that you would do the same for me."
x Before Kyle, there was only pain and hurt. And after him...it was like I'd just learned how to really breathe for the first time.
x "You can't even imagine what a spectacle I'm going to make about us when we're finally free. I'm going to PDA you so hard."
x "I love having my cum inside you." "It's mine now that it's in me."


This book looked like something I'd enjoy immensely, so I checked some of the reviews with lower ratings to see if it had any tropes I don't enjoy. Some reviews complained that the slowburn was too slow, and that there was not enough angst. Even that their communication was too good(?) so there was no drama. It only solidified my plans to read this, and I loved it so much. This is exactly what I enjoy. Just two people slowly falling in love and being there for each other. Definitely one of my favorite reads this year.

[Feel The Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recensione a cura di Persefone per Feel the Book

Voto 4,5

«Niente è buono o cattivo se non è tale nel nostro pensiero.»


Avrebbe potuto essere una storia già sfruttata e un po’ banale, ma Devon McCormack è riuscito a svilupparla in maniera originale, creando dei protagonisti ricchi di emozioni con un background che ha saputo dare a questo libro una marcia in più.

Kyle e James riescono a mostrarci il loro lato interiore in maniera ricca e completa, alternandosi nella narrazione, e l’empatia che suscitano è determinante.

Kyle è un diciottenne con alle spalle una famiglia che è stata violenta nei suoi confronti, se ne è allontanato ma il ruolo del padre nella comunità lo mette sempre al centro di pettegolezzi e voci che lo hanno classificato tra i ragazzi difficili.

James è un professore che, trasferitosi a causa di un difficile divorzio, si trova in difficoltà il primo giorno di scuola e viene soccorso dal ragazzo.

Il legame tra i due è immediato, c’è un qualcosa che istintivamente li lega. Grande è il disappunto per l’insegnante quando scopre che Kyle è un suo studente.

Morale, legge ed etica vogliono soffocare qualunque cosa nasca tra i due.

Eppure, nonostante tutto, la forza del legame è potente.

Vedremo tutti i passaggi che i due dovranno affrontare: l’avvicinarsi, l’allontanarsi, il comprendere e il realizzarsi sia come individui che come coppia.

Un romanzo che l’autore ha saputo costruire con delicatezza, senza indugiare troppo su erotismo e sesso ma concentrandosi più sui sentimenti e sulla crescita dei personaggi, una crescita che implica superare il dolore che li attanaglia.

Già, dolore che se per Kyle è assolutamente comprensibile, visto i trascorsi di abusi, per James è più difficile da capire. Non capita spesso di trovare personaggi maschili schiacciati da personalità femminili manipolatrici e crudeli, ma sua moglie è assolutamente una donna crudele e senza scrupoli.

James è un uomo buono e non riesce a reagire di fronte al tipo di manipolazione di una donna che è in grado di fargli accettare tradimenti e scelte egoistiche, con la speranza che tutto cambi.

È difficile vedere un insegnante così fragile, ma la forza di Kyle, quella forza che lo porta a voler superare il buio e le chiacchiere della gente, diventerà importante per entrambi.

I due sono circondati da alcuni personaggi secondari che riescono a creare un ambiente positivo, un aiuto profondo per entrambi, un segnale che la società può crescere.

Si tratta, come ho detto, di una bella lettura che si distacca da cliché o gap age. mettendo a nudo solo due uomini che devono capire loro stessi.

Lo consiglio davvero a tutti.

Editing a cura di Cleo.

[Gabriela · Rating 3 out of 5]

No le doy 4⭐ exclusivamente porque a ratos se me hizo un poco reiterativo, pero de que es una bonita historia, lo es.

Pensé que iba a ser más controversial por el tema profesor-alumno, pero me equivoqué. Es un libro con una historia de amor que nace de la amistad, del respeto y la admiración; una relación que toma un tiempo en consolidarse, y esa es también la razón de porque es tan extenso.

Creo que en otro momento me podría haber aburrido, pero lo leí en el momento justo y realmente lo disfruté.

[Nolan ⸙; · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dnf 70%.

The first half was rlly sweet and literally just perfect. But after the filth started I just couldn't finish it :'). Especially knowing that the James wasn't in charge.

It's a nice book overall.

[Ziezie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars