When Abigail discovers the recently appointed dean of Franklin West is college buddies with her overbearing older brother, their lives are thrust together in a way neither of them expected. Can they resist the pull between them knowing that succumbing to it can only end in disaster?
Dean Drew Mason must focus on his job above everything else.
Abigail Farrell just wants to enjoy her last year of college with minimal drama.
Addison Arrowdell writes spicy adult romance that has heat with heart. She believes that even the darkest story should have laugh out loud moments and loves writing witty dialogue.
3.7 stars. This is a spin on the teacher/ student trope – since he’s not just a teacher but the DEAN of her college. And, he’s also her brother’s friend. So, it pushes a lot of buttons for “forbidden” tropes.
What I like about this story is that it’s different than the typical plot: usually in the teacher/student trope, the characters meet and hook up somewhere outside of school, without realizing that they’re teacher and student. Then, they’re shocked and dismayed to realize that they are. In this, Abigail is 22 and a senior in college, and Drew is 38, and in his first year as the dean at her school (everyone comments on how young and hot he is for a dean). Going into the story, they both already know this information. So, there’s no “OMG, what are you doing here at my school!!!” moment, like there usually is in teacher/student trope books.
Abigal and Drew weren’t previously aware that he’s not just her dean, he’s also her brother’s friend. This becomes clear at the beginning of the story, when he runs into her family on a Vegas vacation and her brother invites him out with them. Circumstances find Drew and Abigal away from the rest of her family, alone at a bar. They both know it’s wrong and they shouldn’t, but they’ve had a few drinks, feel a spark, and share a kiss, all while KNOWING that he’s her dean and she's a student at his college. When they get back to campus, one thing leads to another. From there, it’s a fairly standard teacher/student book, with office sex and lots of push/pull “No, we can’t do this!” (on his end).
The subplot with Abigail’s brother felt unresolved. But, aside from that, the main plot is pretty good, and it has good tension and steam. The story did a good job of conveying how and why Drew was such a closed off person before, and how he and Abigail connect, so their age gap didn’t feel like a big deal on a personal level – just an exterior level, for all the obstacles they faced (him losing his job if people found out; her brother beating him up, etc).
The reason I rated it slightly below 4 stars is that I don't think I'll re-read it, or really remember these characters after. It's not a bad read at all, I just save my high ratings for great or memorable stories.
It’s the second book in a series about people at this college, but it can be read as a standalone. The first book isn’t bad, but it’s an average New Adult book about Abigail’s friend. This one is better. If you’re looking for a teacher/student book that’s slightly different, this is a solid one.
Squeeeeee! Yet another scorcher from Addison Arrowdell! If you like age gap forbidden romance then this is for YOU. Drew is so broken and guarded, but feisty Abi comes swooping in and knocks him for six. The slow burn isn't without its scalding hot moments, and the heartache stretches to the end, but it's SO worth it. Oh, yes, Sir. ;)
It's a standalone, but I think it's even more delicious if you read Stolen first, because it's fun to see things that happened in that book from other character's POV.
Oh Addison, how you love to tear my heart from my chest with the broken characters you write...... This is book 2 in the Franklin West University Series. Although this is a standalone, I recommend reading in order as there are characters and snippets from others within the series.
This book follows Abigale Farrell and Dean Drew Mason. Abigale is getting ready to graduate College. She returns home to a celebration only to find out that the Dean of Franklin West, her college, is friends with her older, overprotective brothers. What she doesn't expect is to have a very strong draw to the very handsome Drew Mason. What follows is a heartbreaking romance that is so intense that it's my absolute favorites of Addidon's.
Addison is known for writing very well written sexy times within her books. I like to use her terms....Heat with Heart. The depth of her characters and the struggles they face make her stories some of the best written romances. Drew and Abigale are no exception. You will find humor and hilarious one liners, destructive and emotional behavior and a love story so beautiful that I had tears while reading. Addison hits it out of the park again with book 2! I know book 3, Golden will be just as emotionally exciting and heartbreaking at the same time but I am here for it all! Addison is an exceptional writer who has a fan for life. This amazing story gets 5 stars!!!!
I can’t get enough of Drew and Abigail, they are the fire that never extinguishes. Just as “Stolen” the first book in the series was intense, this one is 4 times more. The chemistry between both the characters is hard to miss from the very first instance. I never expected the story to start the way it started and definitely didn’t think about the subsequent events. This forbidden age gap romance had me excited from the start.
Addison I loved the cafe “Grinds”😎. She writes so well that I kept going and going and savored each and every line written. If anyone wants to learn a few things about life or relation, they can think about the events in the book. Nothing is constant and every good thing is worth fighting for even if it’s too late.
Abigail is the apple of my eyes and Dean is hotness overloaded. Abi is confident, bold, outspoken, and beautiful whereas Dean is full of self-doubt even after being so handsome at his age. Dean has past issues which need serious attention and neglecting the issues leads to wrong decisions and that leads to sadness. The ARC of the story is perfect and emotionally balanced. We get to see a lot of emotions of each type. A must-read I say.
If you love.. 🖤 Short chapters 🤍 Age gap 🖤 Forbidden romance 🤍 College romance 🖤 Dean X Student 🤍 Brother’s best friend Then check this one out!
Review: The tension in this book is unreal. This book is book two in the Franklin West University Series. Drew Mason or should I say Dean Mason is not only Abigail’s dean of her school but her brother’s best friend. They try to stay away from each other but both end up failing miserably. They know it’s wrong because if anyone finds out, it won’t be pretty. Abi has 4 protective older brothers who would practically end Drew if they found out, let alone if the school finds out everything he worked so hard for will be gone. But will they able to resist until the end of her senior year with monthly meetings and secret rendezvous? This book was really well written. I liked getting to see glimpses of Drew’s past. Abi and Drew have A LOT of ups and downs but their love for each other always seems to shine through. I loved the epilogue and how they finally got the happy ending they deserved. 5/5 ⭐️ 4/5 🌶
abigail !!! drew !!! book two of the franklin west university series has my FAVORITE trope and it's done PERFECTLY. drew is the dean of franklin west and abigail is a sorority girl so it’s very forbidden, very taboo, but oh so delicious. 🤤 · abi is the fierce youngest and only sister of four older over-protective brothers, and when she’s somewhat…forced…into the arms of their old friend, drew mason, well. you can imagine the tension and when it explodes, it EXPLODES and i loved every second of it. · and drew, drew, drew. my poor broken man. he has so much pain in his heart, but abi is just the girl to help him heal. the process, their journey, is not an easy one but they come out on the other side and that’s all i could really ask for 😭 · if you love taboo age gap professor/student (in this case, dean/student lol) romances, spicy spice complete with ties and office desks, and a plot to bring it all together, get hidden asap!!!🤩
This is my first introduction to this author and series. This book may be part of a series, but it can be read as a standalone book. Although, after reading this book, I do plan to go back and read the other ones in this series. Hidden by Addison Arrowdell is a hot read that you don't want to miss!
Instantly, I connected emotionally to all of the characters. I feel bad for any guy who shows interest in Abigail. If it was up to her four older brothers, Abigail would be an old spinster. they won't let any man near her. Boy won't they be in for a huge surprise when they discover that Abigail is dating an older man and not just any older man but her one brother's friend and dean at her university.
Abigail and Drew were so good together. I could feel the emotional connection they shared between them. In addition, to the sexual chemistry. It was HOT. While, this book is about Abigail and Drew, I do want to say that i love Abigail's family including her brothers and their wives.
As a forbidden romance, this had none of the angst, none of the pining, and absolutely none of the thrill. The “fear” of them getting caught? Non-existent. Zero adrenaline, zero tension.
The first 30–40% was basically filler, with maybe two actual encounters. The hero’s constant pushiness was more irritating than swoony, and I couldn’t spot an ounce of chemistry between them. By 70% they still weren’t together, so forget about cute moments—there weren’t any. And when they finally got together, it lasted for two measly chapters before an unnecessary, low-impact third-act breakup. Yawn.
As for the side cast? Abigail’s brothers were over the top and annoying, and not a single supporting character was remotely likable.
This book promised forbidden romance but delivered… boredom.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Abigail Farrell plans to enjoy her last year at Franklin West before taking her place in her family’s Las Vegas hotel and casino business. But when the gorgeous dean of the university appears at her brother’s birthday party, life throws her a curve ball that just might break her heart.
Drew Mason has dedicated his entire life to education. When he runs into a college friend in Las Vegas, he doesn’t expect an undeniable attraction to his friend’s little sister, who’s all grown up. Resisting is the only option, though. She’s a student. He’s the dean. And Drew decided a long time ago, happiness is not something he deserves.
I loved this book so much! Their dynamic is fire, their story is fun and crazy. Drew’s journey of healing is one for the ages.
This contemporary age gap romance has all the ingredients for a steamy read. We follow the plot through both Abigail, a rich sorority college girl with overbearing brothers, and Dean Andrew Mason, an almost forty year old who happens to be friends with Abigail’s brother. And is extremely hot. The tension between these two is next level. I couldn’t put the book down until I read it all. I am loving the college romance series by Arrowdale. This is only book 2 and I can’t wait to see who we follow next! Check out book 1, Stolen, Franklin West University too. They are standalone but these 2 books overlapped so you’ll enjoy it more if you read the first but it’s not necessary.
The MMC is 38 while FMC is 22 and her age shows, he is also the dean of her uni. On the other hand she has 4 month till she graduates and her family is super rich (so she's not desperate), but it was on the dodgy end of consent. It would have been better if they waited till she graduated, altho I still felt like she was too young for him. The book also broke my personal covenant of "no food or drink near the vagina". Despite that I still liked it, Arrowdells books work for me in general.
Y’all, if you ever need a good book to…. A. Get you out of a slump B. Give you all the happy vibes C. While also giving you spice You need to read Arrowdell’s books.
This is book two in the Franklin West U world and I LOVED IT MORE THAN BOOK ONE!! Abi and Drew are PERFECTION. I loved every minute of this book. Nothing felt forced, the emotions had me SO CLOSE to tears. (And that never happens) It felt honest and beautiful.
I could gush forever, but you don’t want to read my ramblings.
Probably my all time favorite Addison book she did not disappoint! I found the characters super relatable and loved the tension between Drew and Abbie. If you like age gaps and forbidden romance this book is for you! The book was a one sit read for me I could not put it down I was invested from the very beginning.
Loved this book! I really enjoyed getting to know Abigail and her dynamic between her family and the Dean of her university, Drew. I’m looking forward to the continuing the Franklin West University series!
2.5 - It’s not a bad book but the plot is very basic. It’s a fast read and I have to say that the sex scenes are fun but even though, it wasn’t exciting or addicting.
So good! I couldn’t put it down. A great mix of plot and spice. The character development and relationship progression were on point! A great read if you like age gap and forbidden romance tropes.
4.5 stars Hidden is the second book of the Franklin West Series, written by Addison Arrowdell. This book focus on two characters briefly presented on Stolen (book #1): Abigail Farrell and Drew Mason (Dean of Franklin West University). Although this book is a standalone, I recommend reading the book #1 first. Abigail wants to enjoy her last weekend of freedom before she returns for her final hear at Franklin West University, and she spends a weekend with her family in Vegas. There discovers that the newly appointed Dean is friends with her overprotective brother Brayden. As fate would have it, life keeps thrusting them together in very unexpectedly ways. The University has very strict rules, but sometimes the rules are just begging to be broken. This book was the perfect segue from Stolen, and I was thoroughly captivated by Drew’s character. At 37 years old, Drew is secretive about his past, and accustomed to a lonely life. When he meets Abi, she starts tearing at the walls he built to protect himself. Immediately we feel the pull and sexual attraction between Drew and Abi, and the slow burn was heaven. Drew is adamant in staying away from Abi and resisting her magnetic pull, only more difficult by the persuasive nature of Abi. You could almost taste the sexual frustration they were feeling, and for every step forward they took 20 steps back! But Addison’s smutty scenes are explosive, and this kind of chemistry is very hard to find. It’s really difficult to choose a favorite scene, I might I have to re-read the fun parts just to be sure!
Yallllll this book!! The spice!! How does she write such GOOD characters. Like I’m obsessed with Drew and Abigail. Probably my favorite age gap I’ve ever read