The Professor

The Loves of Lakeside #2

by Mimi Francis

Love has much to teach us!

Jacob Moore was more than ready to start over. Moving back to Lakeside meant a clean slate. The town’s private university was thrilled to have him, and he couldn’t wait to teach his new classes. He hadn’t expected there to be a new girl, not so soon, but something about Avery Collins made him stand up and pay attention. In more ways than one.

Avery Collins wasn’t interested in a relationship; she had one year left of college and she planned to buckle down and do it right. She was determined to stay on the straight and narrow. Falling for her professor wasn’t part of the plan.

142 pages, Paperback

First published October 30, 2021

About the author

Mimi Francis is a sassy romance writer known for her steamy tales of passion that leave readers breathless. When she's not crafting what she hopes is the perfect happily-ever-after, you can find her sipping margaritas and binge-watching Marvel movies or the TV show Supernatural. But her true loves (after her husband, of course) are her four Shih Tzus who keep her company as she spins stories that will make your heart race and your toes curl. Get ready to fall in love with her characters and get lost in the worlds she creates. You can connect with Mimi on Instagram and Facebook at @author.mimi.francis or on her website mimifrancis.com.

Reviews

[Read And Ramble · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Potential Spoilers*
I absolutely devoured this book. I am talking I started it and did not put it down until I finished. I think there is just something about Mimi's writing style that makes it so you feel like you are watching a movie rather than just simply reading words on a page. The story truly comes to life and it doesn't take long before you feel attached to the characters and their stories which I think is so special. I loved the fact that we were introduced pretty quickly to the characters and their love story. I also found it refreshing that while this was sort of a "taboo" romance in a sense, it wasn't crossing the lines many other books cross so it still felt wholesome and like a genuine love story. I also loved how this world was a continuation of the last book, and how we also saw familiar characters and nods to the previous storyline. I think all in all the twists and the end were simultaneously unexpected while also worked just so well together. Overall I thought that this book was truly an enjoyable read and I think that this author is truly such a great writer. She knows how to balance steam and romance in a way that just works.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa Whelan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was thrilled to be back in Lakeside with book two in the series, and Mimis writing was just as good as I remembered from Run Away Home! Although a series the books can be read as Stand alones too!

A short read that I devoured quickly.
This was a really sweet, strangers to lovers, slight forbidden love trope as Avery is a student and Jacob a Professor but Avery is a mature student in her final year so it's not too bad! Mimi writes her characters really well, , I might be a little bit in love with Professor Moore 🔥😍🤣 their relationship developed really quickly but this is to be expected in shorter romance reads, and I was rooting for them the entire time 💞 there is a bit of a twist for added drama which keeps the story alive and helps the book along! Over all really enjoyable!

Also enjoyed the glimpse of Van and Serena from book one.

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 1st book I've read written by Mimi Francis; I can’t wait to read more of her books.

This is the 2nd book in the Loves of Lakeside Series; it is a stand-alone short story. The story is about Avery & Jacob; she’s in her last year of college; he moves back to town and is now her professor.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sahana Ramnath · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 2 in Mimi Francis's Loves of Lakeside series, although it can be read as a standalone.

Note - for anyone reading my review, wanting to know more about the "professor and student" trope in this book (because yes, I did ponder about this a little before picking it up) - she's 25 years old, and he's 30 years old. He's a young professor, and she's just doing her studies late in life. Plus, they start dating weeks before they know that the other is a prof/student, so it goes along pretty smoothly in that regards.

This was a really, really sweet read. The author does a great job of writing the characters, both their pasts and their character development in the present.
This is a proper strangers dating to love story, and it also has large elements of the forbidden love trope, since their relationship is still not entirely appropriate in the eyes of the university. At the end, this story is about two people who took a chance and found love 🤍

I also loved the very brief glimpses into the life of Serena and Van, the pair from book 1 :))) for anyone who reads the books in order, these tidbits are extremely wholesome 🤍

[Christina B · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a super super quick read! Avery is just beginning her last semester in college, when she meets a handsome newcomer at her job at a coffee shop. They hit it off, and she is surprised to discover that he is a new professor at her school. And not only that, but he is teaching one of her classes! Now they have to decide whether or not they want to continue with the relationship!

I really enjoyed reading this book. It has just enough of the sweet and spicy to keep you on your toes!

The only thing I had trouble with was how quickly Avery and Jacob’s relationship progressed, and I found it hard to be I vested in them at the beginning. By the 3rd act of the book, however, I was fully invested in them, their relationship, and their happiness!

This book is a quick read, and fits perfectly into the Loves of Lakeside series by Mimi!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book two in The Loves of Lakeside Series and it is Jacob and Avery's story and it is a must read. I loved this book so much and it took you into the story right from the start and I had to keep turning the pages to see what the outcome would be for Jacob and Avery and you will not be disappointed. The connection and chemistry between them was so strong and really special and I found myself hoping that they would have a chance of a happy ending especially after everything that they have both been through. I definitely recommend you read this book and you will not be disappointed as it is definitely worth reading and I also suggest that you read book one as well as that is just as good as this one.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Farah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jacob is the new professor. Avery is his student. The relationship is forbidden from the start but neither wants to back away. 

Before you think there must be a big age difference, let me tell you that Avery is a mature age student at 25 while Jacob is a young professor at 30. I wasn't aware of this detail until I started the book and I have to say, with this cleared up, I was able to enjoy the story more! 

This is book two of the Loves of Lakeside series (we get to hear about Serena and Van from book one too!) and a perfect follow up. If you're after a sweet, quick read romance, I highly recommend this one!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Alexa Jaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pleasantly Surprising!! 🌸💖🍂

I love Mimi Francis writing style and how she brings characters to life. I was very happy to receive my ARC copy via Booksprout.

I like the vibes swirly around with every Jacob and Avery encounter...

I did not see any of the twist/suspense coming so that livened things up pretty quickly for a while. Sometimes, I am very thankful to know there will be a HEA in the end!

That is all I am telling you!

I am not really a fan of student/ teacher genre and the uneven power play... I will say however that this is beautifully written, and a mature couple so it really works well. If like me you are on the edge saying "will I or won't I read it?"... You will enjoy this read! 💖

What are you waiting for?
Happing Reading! 💖🌸🍂

[Babara-Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Avery Collins is spellbound by the gorgeous man entering the coffee shop where she works……..

Jacob Moore can’t take his eyes of the gorgeous curvaceous woman serving him and becomes tongue tied…….

This is how Avery and Jacob start their forbidden relationship unbeknownst to them until winter break is over,,,,,,

A delightful short story revolving around a steamy forbidden love that becomes all consuming for the characters with a slight twist added to keep the pages turning!

This is a first time read by this author and the second book of the series but can be read as a standalone!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Savanna Groff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely love Mimi! Her novels are short and sweet with just the right amount of smut. Don’t let the student/professor turn you away from this book. Jacob and Avery met before school started and are 5 years age difference. Such a sweet story with a mini twist at the end to wrap it all up. The ending did seem rushed but overall I loved it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[SWR · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Spoiler alert:
I love the connection between Jacob and Avery - it is the kind that carries off the page. It really is more than just a student and a professor - they are a man and a woman, and they are not infallible, and I like that this story took that road. There needed to be a trigger warning, however, for stalking, kidnapping, and physical abuse.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in the Loves of Lakeside series a well written short story that kept me turning pages. Professor Jacob Moore and his student Avery Collins' story of suspense, drama, danger, a villain who is really close, and romance. I enjoyed reading. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kim Wilch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though I love the author’s writing style, I was a little apprehensive with the title and description for this book. Put your concern aside! It’s a love story about 2 about the same age adults. There’s no dirty old man taking advantage of a clueless student here. It’s a quick read, beautifully written in the author’s fantastic style. Loved it as much as Run Away Home.

[Abby J · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a quick student/professor romance. Avery is in her final year at university and Jacob has just started as a professor. What would normally be a fairly sizeable age gap, this one is refreshingly small as Avery is a mature 25 and Jacob is only starting his career and is only 30. They met at a coffee shop before classes began and their romance is simply delightful.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a good, an and enjoyably small town romance read. The story has a good story line. The characters are good, and they have good chemistry.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Maja · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good story about forbidden love. A quick read, written in the third person which is a deal breaker for me, so 4 stars.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second story in the "Love of Lakeside" and can be read as a stand alone read. This is a fairly short and quick read with a touch of forbidden. This is a professor/student plot that is so nicely developed and a pleasure to read. I enjoyed every bit of Jacob and Avery's story.

[Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a wonderful love story. I enjoyed it very much. The storyline was spot on and was well executed. You have action, drama and adventure and love all in one book. loved the characters, I enjoyed this book can't wait for their next one. I recommend it.

[Rach H · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked Avery and Jacob's story.
It was a short and sweet instalove romance that had a little drama thrown in.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this romantic, steamy read. And a new author, for me. I got a copy of the book. And am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Paulina Bellantonio · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this one is my least favorite of the series.
It was good - I enjoyed it; but it wasn’t the best in a series of great books.
It got very steamy and spicy in the middle - so if you’re a fan of that, this one is for you.
The overall resolution of the professor dating a student thing seemed reasonable to me.
In my opinion the ending was a little too dramatic and took away from an otherwise good story.

[Marjorie · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me this romance missed something as I never fully connected with the characters. Maybe I would have felt differently if I had read the first book in the series before reading this one. In the end I found that this book was an easy read that flowed well.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.