The Tutor

Kephart College #3

by Cassie Mint

It’s bad enough needing a tutor to rescue my grades.

But this guy’s tall, dark and brooding–and he resents every second with me.

Okay, I get it. He’s a busy postgrad and I’m a lowly student. He’s grumpy and I’m bouncy. And he thinks I’m wasting his precious time.

But there’s no need to be rude. From our very first session, he’s so freaking judgy–like he took one look at me and figured me out on the spot. You’d think he’d know better, what with that cane.

Well, there’s more to me than the gorgeous grump sees. And I’m going to prove it to him…

One breathless study session at a time.

The Tutor is a short and steamy enemies-to-lovers instalove story, starring a brooding tutor and the ball-of-sunshine student who lights up his world.

Genres: Romance, Novella, College, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Short Stories

58 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 17, 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

[*˚Remnant Light ‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾ · Rating 4 out of 5]

**4/5 stars**

Love this one! Freya is a very busy girl who needs a tutor to help her with her classes, as she is almost failing some of them. She is assigned Malachi, a grumpy and pretty harsh postgraduate who's got no time to waste. If at first, he is very rude and negative, he is quickly charmed by Freya and her smiles.

Freya was definitely my type of heroines; grounded, able to take criticism without really feeling sorry for herself, and overall trying to be positive. She wasn't necessarily sweet but I would still consider her as a sunshine. She was playful and understanding. I really liked her.

Over the last few weeks, I’ve figured out that Mal’s like a wild animal. You’ve gotta coax him. Leave out saucers of milk and wait for hours on a metaphorical deck. Avoid eye contact while he gets used to your presence.-Freya

In contrast, we had Malachi who was very grumpy, hypercritical and super serious. My first impression of him was that he was pissed at the world, his surly attitude being triggered by Freya whom he'd misjudged right away. Turns out he lacked a bit of self-esteem due to his bad leg, having to use a cane to support him. He was like a tsundere with his cold exterior and harsh words but he easily warmed up to Freya.

It’s a new sensation for me–wanting someone. Or certainly wanting someone like this, like I’m walking around having a perpetual heart attack; wanting someone so badly I might actually do something about it.-Malachi

Right away, there was a tension between them. Their relationship didn't really start on the right foot, with Malachi being extremely grouchy but Freya's forgiving temper helped balance it out. The tension quickly morphed into attraction and there was an actual progress to their connection. Nice chemistry.

✔️HEA Epilogue: 5 years later, they are married and h is pregnant
✔️Novella
✔️Dual POV
✔️Age gap H is about 28-29 (postgraduate) and h is 20-21
✔️Grumpy/ Jealous H
✔️Sunshine h
✔️Dual virgins
✔️No OW/OM Although H sees h getting hit on by a couple of guys throughout the story, h is never flirting back with them
✔️No cheating
✔️Safe
🔥 Steam level: 2/5 one foreplay scene in library, and their first time together at H's apartment. They were a bit awkward at first, but quickly became more comfortable
⚡Content warning No condom/ Dual virgins/ No mention of birthcontrol. Foreplay/ Fingering/ Oral sex/ Spanking (slight)/ First time/ Library

Would I recommend this novella? My favorite one out of the Kephart College series of novellas so far. The grumpy-sunshine trope was really cute. I believed in their romance. There wasn't much drama other than some self-esteem issues but they were quickly resolved. I had a good time reading this.

**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

[AvidReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, satisfying and recommended.

[Melluvsbooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmm. Did I miss something? Why does this guy limp and use a cane?? I tried to go back and keyword search but I found no explanation.

I was annoyed that it’s just thrown out that a hot guy in his mid-late 20s is still a virgin with no explanation. Was there an accident that left his social life stunted?? I know this is a novella, but it would have taken one sentence to explain what’s going on here.

Maybe I missed it?


Bottom line? This was a cute short book but I didn’t like the switcheroo on the dynamics once we got to the smexx. He went from grumpy alpha older man to simping beta who was worried she’d notice he didn’t know how to do the sex. 😐🙃 Grumpy alphas are fine just how they are, imo 🤷🏼‍♀️ 2.5 stars



SAFETY SQUAD SPOILERS

- no cheating or sharing
- no OW/OM drama
- no dubcon/noncon
- dual virgins
- no condom - no discussion (h does not know the H is a virgin)

[april ♡ is probably reading smut · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5

TROPES:
~DUAL VIRGINS!
~grumpy/sunshine
~instalove

SAFETY:
Virgin/celibate: dual virgins!
OM/OW drama: none
Cheating/sharing: none
HEA?: yes!

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

stern hero meets his sunshine

I absolutely adore this one! All. the. SWOON! Malachi is stiff, stern and grumpy and he melts like an ice cube under the sun when he begins to tutor Freya. He tries so hard to resist her, but it’s futile. Her sweetness is no match for his stoicism

100% safe. Double virgins. No others, no cheating or abuse. HEA with epilogue yrs out.

[destiny ♡ howling libraries · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the disability rep in this book. ♥️ The MMC uses a cane and it's a very normal, casually implemented part of his character that feels totally real. The book doesn't harp on about his disability too frequently, but also doesn't exclude it from how he views himself and how he worries others will perceive him. Loved it.

———

You can also find my reviews on…
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[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn’t expecting much…

But I loved this read. I liked that he was grumpy and a little rude but not necessarily a bully. It was a solid four stars for me but then I find out the hero is a virgin?! AND he doesn’t act like he knows exactly what he’s doing? Swoon!

I’ve been reading a lot of Cassie Mint the past few days and this might be my favorite right now. On to the last book in the series but I’m not sure it can top this one.

[Оля (hiatus) *** · Rating 5 out of 5]

The guy on the cover, just mmm
❤️🥰I would tell him how much I love🍌 😂

[Jen ♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

short and fast read. freya needed help with one subject and mal is her tutor. he's grumpy and judgmental while her on the other hand is sunshine and understanding. it took them weeks of tutoring sessions before they finally acted on their attraction. they got their HEA and an epilogue with five years later (married and pregnant).

side note: why do the mmc in some books act like a total jerk towards the fmc when he's attracted to her? what does this attitude supposed to make the readers feel anyway?

[Kate ☕ (semi-hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found that novellas by this author are my new favorite 😊 Grumpy but then deliciously sweet Heroes and lovely heroines...

This line cracked me up though:

"I don't care -I'd do it again. I'm not going to make Mal walk around with my pussy juice slicking up his cane. There's no way that's user friendly."

[Lolina ⋆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved this one so much- I really enjoyed the dynamic between the two.

As usual, I would've loved it if it was longer: there was so much I wanted to know about the characters- but it was still enjoyable.

[riley ☠︎︎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 stars. God I love grumpy guys and I really enjoyed this novella. I actually would’ve loved more of this story!

[Elisa ♡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

reddit said this mmc would grovel, but where was the grovel?

[Sarandah chrysalis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love when a couple can be playful during sex, esp when it’s the first time for both of them. Cute and sweet short read

[Bookiemonster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deep breaths in. Deep freaking breaths.
This author. Goodamn. This freaking author. I need access into her mind. I want to kiss her brain. Too much? Yikes... No regrets.
After reading all the available books of the Sweet Little Sinners Series (so every book aside from Blade which is yet to be released), I absolutely lost it and my new goal in life is to read every single book by this author, because I am, 1, definitely in love with her or 2, compelled to her. Either works, seriously.
I picked The Tutor to read first in the Kephart College series because, well, do I really need to explain? Enemies to lovers? That's like, 40% of my read books and 100% of my kink.
We have Freya, the heroine who gets a tutor to help with her grades; if she fails the upcoming Politics module, she won't be able to graduate, and she is currently on a scholarship too. From the bat, Malachi, the hero and the person who will be tutoring her, is rude to Freya. On their first session, Freya gets him coffee and he acts like a dick about it, thinking that she doesn't actually need tutoring, that she had been lazy and if she put some time into studying and going to all her lectures, they wouldn't be where they are right now; ie waisting his time. Bear in mind, Malachi IS getting paid for the tutoring sessions.
This book, was sooooo damn good. My favourite book in the Sweet Little Sinners series was Hacker, but now I think this book may have replaced it. Goddamn. I am ADDICTED to this author and I think the only cure is to read every single book she's written. I may need help but it may be impossible to get myself out of this. If only I had discovered her 2 days ago, which would mean the start of my weekend. Now I have work interfering and as I still don't have a sugar daddy willing to give me money so I can quit my job, I have to *cries* not read constantly because spare time who. If anyone knows any sugar daddies, please send them my way

[kay reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I inhaled this, I loved it so much, it was perfect!!!!!!!!

It's a tutor romance where the Person Tutoring is a grumpy postgrad, soon to become a professor, with a cane and named Malachi and I have a major thing for people named Malachi and have canes. I drooled so hard over him, he is not real sadly but I still did drool nevertheless.

Freya is being tutored by Malachi and he is a jerk to her in the beginning but oh that tension was so good between them. Also, Both of them VIRGINS! Which was perfect for the both of them with that specific setting, because it was just so funny and cute how they were all over each other.

"I know I’m supposed to feel all caveman about that, but right now, I’d rather have a pencil dick.” He freaking said this because he didn't want to hurt her for her first time. I lost it !!!! This man is so precious I cannot breathe.


5 hours after I read this: I'm still thinking about Malachi and his cane

[atomickitten · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

A very sweet read with a grumpy-sunshine trope, both virgins.
I loved it.
I only wish it was a bit longer, though.

[Elizabeth ☕️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ugh this book was so sweet! This author always manages to make her books extravagant even with only 58 pages. Dual virgins are my weakness! ❤️

[LizKat · Rating 3 out of 5]

this went in a much different direction than I was expecting and I think that led to a bit of a letdown for me. Both seemed to give in suddenly to the desires both were feeling- they just didn't fight the attraction enough- that part didn't make sense.

[Peyton · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars rounded up. Cute but I didn't connect to the broody tutor, Malachi, despite loving that name. Freya was great, the bubbly yet busy as hell college student who survived foster care and now needs to work three jobs to pay back her loans. Loved her, he was just okay.

[Starr (AKA Starrfish) Rivers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good. Love my dirty virgins!

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

4/17/23-
This was as good as I remember it being when I first read it a year ago. This is probably the best grumpy/sunshine novella I've ever come across and the cover is very fitting with how moody (and slightly arrogant) the Hero is.

I will say, though, that I'm a little surprised that it's never explained why the Hero has a cane (unless I missed it), but it wasn't necessary to the storyline. Then there's the fact that the heroine was in the foster system but it's also never talked about, which I honestly kind of appreciated. Too many novellas get bogged down with detailing the MCs' tragic backstories, so this was done perfectly to keep the story on the lighter side and focused on the romance.

[Kristine L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love Cassie Mint's books. The Tutor is an amazing story of Freya, sweet even though she has so many hardships. She's strength, optimistic, and is so happy that grumpy Mal is her tutor. He thinks that she blue off school last semester and is going to make her work like made. He's is insecure about his disability but after awhile he can't resist Freya with her light and beauty. She is totally in love with him and she slowly starts breaking down his walls. Loved that this was the first time for both of them but they are fast learners. : ) Highly recommend this book and also the series.

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

[Chelsie Lucas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Out of the four in the series, this one was definitely the best one. I really liked the fact that they both were kind of judging him more so but once he realized his mistake, it was a swift change and a pretty good crossbow. I wish that the FMC would have made him work for a little bit more since he was ridiculously harsh. However, I do realize that it is a very short book and so it’s kind of a get what you get situation.
Out of the four this is my favorite and if I would’ve read this one first, I would’ve probably been disappointed even more with the last one so I’m glad that I did not go in order and read this one last

[Sonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book in the Kephart College series and Malachi and Freya are just as great to read as all the others!
If you love short steamy stories and you're into enemies to lovers trope, that this is right up your alley!
I think this series books are rather slow burns as opposed to other books from Cassie MInt, but I enjoy them just the same!
A great short read!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a free copy of this book that I received from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Malachi and Freya

Lived this story. Freya was so excited to have landed the senior that she had a huge crush on. Is the only good thing that has happened to her in a long time. She is drowning in loans and has 3 jobs to keep up. But Mal is grumpy, rude and judge her for things that are not true. And when he finally finds the truth she falls even deeper for him. Great plot, likeable characters and great romantic scenes. Highly recommended

[tee ✧˖° · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it. Though I wished that the spicy scenes gave us a bit more, I still loved it regardless. Freya was so cute, and Mal was even cuter. I loved seeing him grow out of his hardass attitude and only wanted for the book to be longer, so we could see a smoother transition. But they were adorable and I also thought that the author could have added in the reason for Malakai’s limp.

Overall, completely recommend for a short hour-long read.

[Brittany (Brit.tea.reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Cassie Mint's Kephart College Series; these novellas are quick and have the perfect amount of spice!!

Malachi is Mr. Grumpy, and he is tutoring Freya; she fell behind because she works three jobs. Double virgins, need I say more! The Tutor was swoon-worthy, and I loved this one!

I can't wait to read The Guard!

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

- FMC: Freya
- MMC: Malachi
- POVs Included: Dual POVs (Freya, Malachi)

-----------------------------------
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SUMMARY: (SPOILER WARNING)

Freya has had to take one some extra jobs to pay for her tuition and her grades have slipped because of it. Now she has to have a tutor for one of her classes to catch up.

Her tutor is the sexy yet grumpy postgrad teacher's assistant, Malachi. He's not happy to be there and thinks her grades have slipped because of laziness.

But once he finds out what's really going on and the two of them start talking, they find a connection that can't be denied.

-----------------------------------
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REVIEW:

Sweet grumpy/sunshine quickie. I enjoyed their progression from fighting with each other to flirting with each other.

The dual virgins thing was sweet, but unexpected. I just pictured Malachi as being more experienced. But they were sweet together too.

Like the others in this series, it's not particularly smutty for a quickie. You'd expect more smut for something this length. But it's really just a quickie romance rather than erotica.

The one thing that did bug me though was no explanation about Malachi's cane and his leg injury. I'd just like to know the backstory about that.

Overall it was sweet and just the kind of break I needed from another book that is going slow for me. I enjoyed it.

[Dawnmarie Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book in the Kephart College series featuring Malachi and Freya's cute snarky enemies to lovers story. Freya needs a tutor so that she won't flunk out and lose her scholarships. Enter Malachi the grumpy tutor assigned to her who's judging her when he's supposed to be helping her. He reacts so rudely to Freya when all she did was bring him a cup of coffee. Freya absorbs his hurtful words but she doesn't back down she stays nice. When Malachi realizes that he judged her incorrectly he knows that the reason that he was so harsh is because he's attracted to her and he doesn't think that she would want a grump with a cane. You really need to read this slow burn enemies to lovers story to see what happens. I would recommend reading this book and I'm looking forward to the next book in this AMAZING series.

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