The Shrink

Kephart College #1

by Cassie Mint

They sent me to therapy against my will.

But since I met my therapist, whole armies couldn’t keep me away.

Dr Sterling is the highlight of my week–and my safe place on campus. He’s stern and assertive; his blue eyes stare right into my soul.

And he’s always listening to me. Judging me.

God, it’s delicious. I never want our appointments to end.

Too bad we kissed that one time. And too bad we can’t seem to stop.

We’re crossing so many lines together… we’re a ticking time bomb.

The Shrink is a short and steamy age gap forbidden romance, starring a chatty college student and her long-suffering shrink.

Genres: Romance, Novella, College, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Forbidden Love, Short Stories

67 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 3, 2022

About the author

Cassie writes outrageous, OTT insta-love with tons of sugar and steam. She loves cookie dough, summer barbecues, and her gorgeous cat Missy.

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Reviews

[Penny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm quite familiar with Cassie Mint's writing and stories so I knew what to expect from this book. It's not the best story I've read by her, but it was overall okay and exactly what I needed then. 3 ⭐

[*˚Remnant Light ‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾ · Rating 3 out of 5]

**3/5 stars**

This was a pleasant read although, there wasn't much to it. Simply put, it's the story of a girl who is obligated to go see her college therapist and falls in love with him.

Kennedy was stubborn and a bit bratty. She refused to open up to Sterling in that patient-therapist setting. Her reasons for refusing were pretty dumb in my opinion. It seemed to me that she was just fighting him to fight him. I didn't think it was cute nor comedic nor warranted. I honestly had no idea why she even needed to consult him in the first place. The issue wasn't talked about in depth and therefore, we never get a conclusion for that matter.

Props to some of her dialogues though! I found them nice and relatable.

“My favorite book we read so far was a mafia one. It was about this complete psychopath who stole the heroine away to his own private island.”
“And the hero saves her?”
Kennedy snorts. “The mafia guy is the hero. It’s kind of an edgy book.”

As for Sterling, he was broody and I would say professional. I just didn't feel much coming from him. He was interested in Kennedy but we also don't really see why he took a liking to her considering how uncooperative she was. He had to fight her every step of the way to get her to speak about something, anything. Overall, I would've liked him to be more OTT, he was too normal lmao.

At times like these, reality won’t do. I need time traveling vikings who seem suspiciously clean for the time period. I need regency rakes; mafia psychopaths; sweet, burly bakers in small towns. I need to read about someone getting it on, for god’s sake. Lord knows that won’t be happening in my real life.-Kennedy

While I was reading, I felt like something was missing between Sterling and Kennedy, there was no real spark. Nothing prompted their feelings to bloom to begin with. I didn't really see their chemistry until much later. I wished there'd been more tension between them, more forbidden moments due to him being her therapist. Their appointments were a bit boring to me because they were stagnant and unfruitful. The heroine refused to cooperate so whatever they were saying during that hour they spent together once a week was always surface stuff.

✔️HEA Epilogue: 2 years later, they are married h is pregnant
✔️Novella
✔️Dual POV
✔️Age gap H is in his 30s and h is 21
✔️Broody H
✔️Virgin h
✔️No OW/OM h is a bit jealous when she meets with a girl who is also one of H's patients but there is no drama about it, just a passing feeling. Plus that other girl is the heroine in 'The Coach' from the Kephart College series. She gets her own love interest and was merely introduced.
✔️No cheating
✔️Safe
✔️Push and pull Since the H is h's therapist and wants to remain professional, he puts a little wall between them.
🔥 Steam level: 2/5 The first scene was nice but overall the chemistry was lacking in my opinion
⚡Content warning No condom/ No safety talk/ No mention of birthcontrol. Foreplay/ Biting/ Fingering/ Oral sex/ Masturbation/ First time/ Praising kink

Would I recommend this novella? I think it was alright. If OTT heroes aren't your thing, you might like this one since Sterling is fairly tamed in his obsession. Nothing crazy happens. Not my favorite Cassie Mint novella but it had some good bits in it.

**Note that I do not rate novellas and full-length books by the same standards**

Kephart College Series
(Series Rating: ⭐⭐⭐.5 /5)
1. The Shrink** - 2. The Coach - 3. The Tutor
- 4. The Guard

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

A 3.5 rounded up.

My favorite trope is student teacher and a lot of the time student therapist falls under that for me so I was excited about this one. Unfortunately I was left feeling a bit disappointed and I’m not sure why. I think I might have disliked the heroine too much. I’m not about a heroine that’s too forward and throws herself at the object of her affection and that’s basically what Kennedy does. It wasn’t a bad story by any means, I just don’t think it was my style. Fingers crossed I like the next book in the series more.

[Meg ✨]

i’ve been spoiled by jessa kane and alexa riley cause this was,,,, kinda boring 👀

[Mareeva · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm still confused as to why she went to therapy but this was cute

[destiny ♡ howling libraries · Rating 5 out of 5]

As of March 2025, you can find my reviews on…
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[Oriana Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this story. Kennedy and Sterling were fire together🥵 The hot older therapist that fell head over heels in love with the younger college student Kennedy. Insta attraction, Instalove,sweet,steamy, romantic and safe with a sweet HEA😍😍😍

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars⭐⭐⭐⭐
I can't believe I have only heard of this author recently- her books are becoming some of my favourite go to's for a quick, sexy and deliciously forbidden romance😍
Her books remind me of a more tame version of Jessa Kane's, as they are still just as forbidden and easy to devour but nowhere NEAR as over the top and kinky (and often questionable🙈).

This was a sweet romance between a girl and her therapist- I'm sorry, but all authors should be required to write this trope😳👌 They have an instant connection and get along well, but the Hero also greatly cares about the h's mental state and wanted to genuinely help her, rather then just feeling attracted and wanting to get in her pants.

I just found that the story was perhaps too abrupt and short, and that we never got any updates on the h's mental health- which felt strange, as majority of the book is centered on the fact that she has a problem and is unhappy, but is unsure what exactly it is/how to help herself get better.

SAFETY SPOILERS:

~Heroine is a virgin
~No mention of H's past
~No OW/OM drama
~sexyyy scenes in the therapy office🔥🔥

[Chalice · Rating 4 out of 5]

The couple: Sterling and Kennedy

Romance trope: age-gap; therapist/taboo
Series: Kephart College
Length: 67 pages

Plot: Kennedy's shown some concerning behavior lately, so her parents have ordered her to see a therapist. Dr. Sterling is not what she expected. He's gorgeous and kind and she'd give anything if he saw her as more than a patient.

Commentary: I felt bad for Kennedy - her parents sent her to therapy but it doesn't seem like they tried to just, you know, talk to her, or maybe just consider that college can be tough at first and it often includes an adjustment period. But therapy never hurt anyone, I guess, and it was good that before they became an official item, Sterling actually resigned to avoid a conflict of interest.

Next book in the series: The Coach

[Starr (AKA Starrfish) Rivers · Rating 2 out of 5]

The most annoying thing about this is that there's no clear reason why Kennedy goes to a therapist! For sneaking out her dorm window? Seriously?? Makes no sense.

[**Elle**Bee**Double U** · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a therapist, Dr. Sterling knows it's inappropriate the way he feels for one of his patients. But it still doesn't stop the thoughts that enter his head when his meetings with Kennedy occur. It also doesn't stop him from thinking about her during the rest of the week.
For Kennedy the fun in her appointments with Dr. Sterling is trying to break him down. She rebels against the appointments and his attempts at getting inside her head. But really all she wants is for someone to maybe care that isn't being paid or forced by her family.

I never really thought an insta-romance could also be so freakin slow!
Honestly, I wasn't so in to this book as I wanted to be.
I also feel as if there is this giant hole surrounding why Kennedy's parents sent her to see a therapist to begin with.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

A forbidden romance of psychiatrist to patient, but the under current is palpable. Intriguing storyline with characters that are always fighting their desires until it becomes to much. I liked the way this was handled in many aspects as trying not to be the creepy guy who knows all your secrets.

I am voluntarily leaving a review for this book that I received free.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMG! So hot! So good! Loved it! Can't wait for The Coach! Still 1 week..

[Dragonmother12 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Story

I enjoyed reading this story. It's an interesting way for the couple to meet. I like how once the man is done ignoring thier feelings he does what is needed to get them together.

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (4/27/2022)! 🎁

[JudyAnnLovesBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forbidden romance reading goodness.

[Kimmylongtime · Rating 5 out of 5]

The word “Shrink” is a slur in the self wellness inner circle. You use it as a way to weaponize the profession and downplay your feelings. But what if just once you spoke on your feelings and told a little about yourself?

Our main character Kennedy was sent to therapy by her parents. This is after being caught sleep walking after she climbed out of her dorm window and walked around campus. Any parents in their right mind would be alarmed so they acted. The entire time she is in therapy with Dr. Sterling she pretends she is okay and flirts with the man whose supposed to be helping her.

As the weeks turn into months we see a little spice building between home girl and her beloved “shrink.” Kennedy strings him along and talks dirty and she plays but never gives too much and she makes us fire hopping mad the whole way but we keep reading in hopes that finally Kennedy will either drop the deetz or her draws.

Tensions are flying high and things are getting harder to stop 🛑. Maybe a little kiss won’t hurt 😛or maybe it will. It’s up to you to read and find out 🤨😘😉😌!!

Happy reading everyone 😍🥰

[Chelsie Lucas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute easy read.
All of Cassie’s books are always fun and easy. Nothing deep but still enjoyable !!

[Viv “BookVixen” Gutierrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a taboo story and this one was FUEGO🔥🔥🔥🔥 the stern, older therapist who is tightly controlled and the fresh, untouched young woman who unravels him…*swoons*

Safe. Hero’s past isn’t mentioned, but he doesn’t come off as a manwhore. Heroine is a virgin, belongs only to the hero. No others, no cheating or abuse. HEA with epilogue

[kay reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a therapist/ patient, age gap romance. It was okay-ish. Kennedy is going to therapy and Sterling is trying to figure out what's wrong with her, but she is a bit of a hot head, stubborn but lively. Sterling takes a liking to her, stars to care about her and they develop this bond.

It was a short quick read, 67 pages, Cassie Mint style.

[lf · Rating 5 out of 5]

So tell me about your week.....one Dirty Book Club later

The Shrink is the first book in the Kephart College series. Before you read this I need to warn you that this story does involve a college shrink and a student patient, so if you are not comfortable with some jumping over the line then this story is not for you. This is a smoldering story with a lot of sexual tension flowing between Sterling and Kennedy. She has been referred to the Student Health Center and ends up with Dr. Sterling. Kennedy is not happy about this situation, as she was only caught wandering the campus in the middle of the night after jumping out of her second story dorm window and shimmying down a tree. Sterling and Kennedy end up playing a cat and mouse game where she does not give him anything. They match wits, brains and more until things take a quick turn one night at a local bar where Sterling has stopped in to have a beer on his way home and Kennedy is there for her weekly "Dirty Book Club" meeting. This one slip sets up the rest for a quick downhill roll between these two. But not all is what it may seem and these two are going to have to figure out if they can have a future together or not.

I quite enjoyed this lively, funny, witty and smexy story. Kennedy and Sterling are a good match as they not only fit together passionately but they battle with their wits. I really loved the Epilogue as it was a great way to end it, with a sneak peek at them a few years in the future.

[♥ I’d Rather Be Reading ♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

- FMC: Kennedy
- MMC: Sterling
- POVs Included: Dual POVs (Kennedy, Sterling)

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SUMMARY: (SPOILER WARNING)

Kennedy is forced to see the campus shrink by her parents after she's caught sneaking out of her dorm a few times. But her therapist, Sterling, isn't some old guy or dowdy lady. He's hot. And that's distracting because she wants him badly. It doesn't help that he wants her too.

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REVIEW:

A cute quickie about a therapist and his patient falling in love.

Not much in the way of depth and story, just a sweet connection forming between two people who click. Sweet. Not my normal go to style, but a nice change of pace from my abnormal-normal kind of romance. lol

There isn't a whole lot of steam either. Just a lot of romantic feelings that are slowly opened up by the end of the story.

Overall it's a sweet romantic quickie. Not necessarily erotica, but short and sweet romance.

[Guilty Pleasures · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sigh, I don't know about this one.
I feel a bit iffy about a relationship between a therapist and his patient basically.
But even when I'm okay with it. Basically she resisted him the entire time. Avoiding answers, making up bullshit ones. Trying to evade a proper conversation, which is fine.
But I don't know ... he only gets to know her on the surface level.

They kiss.
She gives him shit for that. Has an - unrelated - tiny breakdown and is crying in his arms.
I don't know if I could have been with a person after that.
I didn't feel a lot for them both as a couple.
Maybe a few more chapters outside of the therapist's room would have been beneficial.

Besides that, there are a few things we don't get to know. Especially the question why she is placed with a therapist after jumping out of that window. I mean sure, being punished for doing so is one thing, but her parents forcing her into therapy? Hm.
I don't know.
It was an enjoyable read tho, nonetheless.

[hanawesternberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so SEXY. SEXY SEXY SEXY 😮‍💨

A hot therapist and the student who were forced to attend the sessions. Ooof yes yes.

Dr Sterling and Kennedy is hands down so SEXY. So hot, the tension was built up with so much sexiness I DEVOURED IT.

I like the way Kennedy is a little fiesty during the sessions but then softens up towards Sterling. and Sterling doing the same, matching her energy .

But when they realized the connection, the sparks and pull between them 😮‍💨😮‍💨

That part when Sterling runs a finger down her body.....man...that has no business being god tier sensual and sexy and VERY MUCH NEEDED IN EVERH ROMANCE BOOK. That move is 💯

Cassie Mint really never disappoints ✨✨

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice

It's a nice, light, and short read about a college student and her campus therapist. It starts out with them going back and both in the sessions, him trying to get her to talk about her problem and her dodging his questions. They start to really desire each other. There is no major drama, or other women drama, nor any heavy or dark triggers in this book, it's a pretty safe read. I was satisfied with the ending HEA and I liked that the heroine had a good feistyness to her. Hot hero!

[Bookiemonster · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book that felt kinda taboo that I have read from this author and I freaking loved it. I have used “love” for every single book review from this author and I mean it.
After having snuck out of her dorm window at 2am, Kennedy now is required to see a shrink - Mr Sterling, as advised by her parents who pay her tuition. So of course Kennedy goes however doesn’t give him what he wants - the answer to why she snuck out at 2am.
These little novellas are so underrated, I never realised how much I have needed these in my life

[Mawgan Dipple · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wanted more

I had seen many reviews on this book all raving about it and i had hoped there had been more to it than what I read. It was an okay read. I wanted more, that's my reasoning for my score. Others may give a higher one. I prefer longer storylines with more indepth background into the characters so I can sink into a book better. I wanted the girl to go into more detail of why she was referred to him and she didn't really know why. Their attraction was intense. Sterling held back but couldn't hold out when she pushed him. I enjoyed it but needed more.

[Kayy Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

He’s pissed me off, and his literal job is to listen to me ranting about it.
.
.
They sent me to therapy against my will, but since I met my therapist, whole armies couldn’t keep me away.
.
.
This is a really short forbidden romance, it had just the right amount of humour and spice and I found these book so easy to read for a small palette cleanser for me. I loved how well Kennedy and Dr sterling were written and I think this was a really well written book. However, I just wish these stories were longer cause I honestly would devour them.

[Natasha Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was hot and steamy. Kennedy was sent to therapy by her parents after an incident at college. Sterling was her therapist. They wanted more with each other immediately. As their relationship develops the love grows to an unstoppable force. Wonderful, instalove, age gap romance with lots of heat, steam and love. The HEA was amazing

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

[Lisa Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kennedy is sent to Dr. Sterling by her parents as she snuck out of the dorm by climbing out of a window. The sessions start as a cat and mouse game, where she rarely tells him of anything of importance. Sterling is having a hard time keeping his hands from her.

The two characters seem to fit well together, especially the chemistry.

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