Flawed Professor

Cocky Hero Club

by Sarah Stein

Tobias
Flawed…
That’s how I’d been my whole life.
Moving from one woman to the next.
I even threw away my marriage for a rump with a student.
Commitment is a difficult thing to stick to.
At this point, no one will have me.
It doesn’t stop me from wanting Sophie.
She’s smart and gorgeous.
To top it off, she gives me the cold shoulder.
It makes me crave her even more.

Sophie
I take one look and know
Tobias will eat me up and spit me out.
He’ll leave me behind picking up all the pieces of my broken heart.
I couldn’t let him know how much I crave him – his smarts, his touch.
Oh, but I want him…bad.


*Flawed Professor is a standalone story written by Sarah Stein, inspired by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward’s Park Avenue Players. It's published as part of the Cocky Hero Club world, a series of original works, written by various authors, and inspired by Keeland and Ward's New York Times bestselling series.

**Contains mature content.**

86 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 21, 2021

About the author

SARAH STEIN (born October 1985) is an international bestselling author of various tales, including contemporary, erotic, and paranormal romance. As the middle child in a family of ten, she often found refuge in reading, using books to escape the chaos of her large family life. Her love for literature at a young age inspired her to start creating her own stories.

She’s from southern Louisiana but resides in south Texas with her husband of many years, their two children, and their pets. When she isn’t spending quality time with her family, she enjoys singing, reading, writing, or researching for her next story.

Reviews

[⭐Toonasa⭐ •Romance Book Lovers' Haven• · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 Stars⭐
A Quick Fast-Paced Story about Redeeming Qualities, Hot Lust turning to More, Dreams coming true, Bad (good?) 1st Impressions & Trust.
I liked Sophie, sort of came to like Tobias too, through the 2nd half of the story! #My 1st book By Sarah, the writing style was amazing with Dual POVs!

It's a Short read, though I liked it, I started some other books while reading this (Which were Fun!) & came back a few days ago to complete it & Am now writing the review😅.
This one is inspired by Park Avenue Player by Vi & Penelope. I've not read that, but Tobias is the cheating ex husband of Elodie, heroine of PAP which is the friend of Sophie..So The impression of Tob to Soph wasn't good.

For me, A Cheater is always a Cheater, if the cheating wasn't for a good reason. Same is here. Tobias was "Flawed", he just COULDN'T stay with One girl for long time. Being a Hot Art professor & Girl Students flanking at him didn't help. He did try to change after Elodie, if that counts (which kinda does for me!).

Sophie is our Kind & Smart Music Teacher. Tobias & Sophie crossed paths Quite some time (College & Bar Surprise!) before knowing who the other was. Mainly as she wanted The Music professor job in His College, which she got *Yay!*.
The times they did cross, was fueled with Heady Sparks, Neither can't deny, nor does he want to BUT she resists.

"The night went on as if nothing happened, but something happened to me. I had a taste of the most delectable lips, and I wanted more. It surprised me because I thought Elodie was the one for me years ago, but this stranger beat Elodie. This stranger was heaven in my arms. When her legs wrapped around my torso I was smitten, but when her lips touched mine, I was a goner."

When she got the job, ignoring Him was Impossible & he took the chance to ask her on a date (like a gentleman *Smirk*). Elodie did warn her about him but Soph wanted to hear his side too. Giving this... Connection b/W them a chance. Which was a great choice, apparently. Beauty tamed the beast!

The Sexy times were a little glazed over, though I'm not mad at that. The ending was fun. The Test of her Trust in him, as this time he really didn't do anything bad. I'm happy He ASAP went to talk to her & that She believed in him (after reacting😅) & they realised their Feelings! (Cue I love yous!)

These two will take their relationship slow, though the end felt like a HFN, it was well on the way to HEA. I've to say, I'd have loved an Epilogue to see them strong together even after a few years after.
So ya, I've Mixed feelings, but All over, I liked this Story. It do have more potential though (Maybe a Sequel?😋). I wonder if Tob's friends will get books?
**ARC Received for a Honest Review.**
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[Jo - •.★Reading Is My Bliss★.• · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tobias was once married to someone who believed in monogamy, unfortunately he didn’t share the same beliefs and after he got caught out sleeping with someone else the marriage ended quickly. He is a self confessed manwhore who has a very high opinion of himself. He is used to girls (students especially) flirting with him and is yet to have someone he is interested in tell him no.

Sophie wasn’t looking for anyone when she first laid eyes on Tobias but there was this undeniable pull and connection between them. She seemed to be unable to resist him, even when she wanted to. She knows about his reputation but there is just something about him that has her wanting more.

Tobias is falling for Sophie, he can’t stop thinking of her, wanting her and the need to be with her. He hasn’t felt like this before, it’s an unfamiliar feeling but one that he likes. He needs to prove that he can be trusted to take care of her heart. His track record with relationships hasn’t been good thus far but he feels like this time something has changed and he can’t imagine a future without Sophie.

I get the whole thing about being with someone flawed and hoping that you will be the reason they want to change. For some women that is a tempting situation and I guess in this instance it was for Sophie. However, she knew what happened with his ex-wife and it was always in the back of her mind. She will always have that small seed of doubt lurking the background.

This was just an okay read for me. I didn’t particularly like Tobias, I get that he was flawed but he didn’t have that sexy arrogance that I would expect from a cocky bastard story. He was just a bit too self centred for my liking and I just didn’t feel any real connection between this couple.

[Amy [Book Addict Reviews] · Rating 2 out of 5]

Flawed Professor is a quick read, but this book just wasn’t for me. It was a struggle to get into the story and even like the characters.

Tobias is a womanizer, a major one. He has a reputation and even the students now it. Sophie has been hurt in the past when it comes to relationships, so she doesn’t trust easily. There is chemistry between Tobias and Sophie, however, she is also friends with his ex-wife who warns her about Tobias and his charm. I do like that Sophie doesn’t just listen to the ex, however, I also felt that even with trust issues she was way too trusting when it came to Tobias and any sort of relationship.

The story felt very rushed, especially at the end. There was a lot of build up and then a date at around 75% and then quickly into the ‘I love you’ and the end. It just felt like there should be more to the story than what was there.

Someone else may really enjoy this book, however, I just couldn’t get into it.

[Jessica Alcazar · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a real hard time getting thru this story and it was mainly because of the male lead. I’m pretty sure I get what the author was trying to accomplish with the choices she made for his personality, but unfortunately, it all went sideways from about the beginning. At least it did for me. I don’t want to give away the storyline nor do I want to ruin a future reader experience by spewing my prejudices in my review so I will only say that Tobias’s previous marriage ended for reasons that are really hard for me to get past. For this reason, I couldn’t connect with Sophie. It just was too easy in my opinion and it tainted my reading experience.

I try hard to read without prejudice. I’m reading a story that has nothing to do with me, and most of the times I can do it, but there just wasn’t enough fleshing out or maybe a better term would be developing of Tobias and his growth as a person. I just wasn’t given enough in the story to believe that history would not repeat itself and I just didn’t believe they’d make it to a happily ever after. *shrug*

The story as is, should probably lean more towards 2 stars than 3 but the bones for better are there, they just needed to be developed and fleshed out to make me believe in them. The writing overall was not bad, but again, see above. I dunno, this whole rating thing is so arbitrary, and sometimes I really hate it! So read my words and forget about the rating! Do with all that what you will.

[Victoria Weston · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
This book is part of the cocky hero series and its great addition to the collection. This is the first book that I have read by this author and I didn't really know what to expect, its a quick read and is based on the park avenue player book.

Tobias is a real womanizer and either his wife or his students he wants them all moving from one to the next however that is until his wife finds out and now she is determined to make hies life hell. His wife kind of holds the power at the minute and wants to spill the secret to Sophie and she doesn't want her to make her own judgement but one based on what she knows about him. Sophie is a very beautiful and independent woman and has her own mind and she doesn't make it easy for him.

The characters in this book do have a lot of chemistry between each other and do have to go through a lot of bumps in the road to get were they are meant to be. They have some communication issues and trust is something that they both need to work on but the attraction is obvious between them both. The story is a good read but this time I just couldn't connect to the characters and the story they were telling and it didn't really hold my attention completely.

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[Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amazon US / UK / CA / AU / Audio

What is a manwhore to do when he catches feelings and finds himself no longer wanting multiple women? Well, in Tobias' case, he tries his best to convince that woman, Sophie, that he's changed his ways and wants only her. Will she believe he's really changed? Even after his ex wife (whom he cheated on) warns her about Tobias' unfortunate tendencies that include him indulging himself in everything but commitment and sticking to his vows?



I wanted to love this story because a) it's part of the Cocky Hero Club and b) it's a professor romance, both things I normally love. Unfortunately, I just could not get into this one. I didn't connect with (or like) Tobias, even though it's pretty short, it's mostly uneventful and slow moving, and the ending is one of the most rushed endings I've read in a long time. It ends abruptly with no epilogue, so no look into their future so I could be sure they were happily together. It's not horrible or anything, and Sophie is likable at least, she saves it from 2 stars, it's just not particularly entertaining, nor is really up to the standards of most of the rest of the CHC stories I've read.

[Sarah DeLong · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fairly quick read. The storyline grabbed my attention as did the characters. The only negative that I have is that the ending and their happily ever after "I love yous" seemed rushed as the majority of the story was a slow burn teasing with trust and communication issues.

[Lynn Thinking out loud · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good read. I liked the story line. He redeemed himself well. It was a slow burn, which I'm not a fan of. What steam there was, was glossed over, also not a fan of that. That's why only 4 stars. The characters even though he was a man whore were actually likeable.

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Fun quick read!
We all make mistakes in our lives. Is it fair to continually be judged by our pasts? Yes Tobias made a HUGE mistake and his exwife lets Sophie know about it once she realizes they will be working together. What will Sophie do with this knowledge? Will she give him a chance or will she move on after hearing what Tobias did to his ex? I do have to say the chemistry between them is so strong. This book is a great example about trust and communication. I enjoyed it very much. This was a fun and quick read.

[Belinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable 3 and a half star book about instant connection and trust issues. This was a fun quick read with Tobias and Sophie having that instant spark and after discovering his past Sophie must decide whether to develop those feelings or not. This book is part of The Cocky Hero Club but can be read as a standalone. I received this book as an arc for my honest opinion.

[Atlanta Whitlock · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is my first time reading anything by Sarah Stein and I was really looking forward to giving this book a read as it was the perfect genre that I love (taboo/forbidden) and I’d read a few other books in the Cocky Hero Club, which I did enjoy quite a bit… However, after reading this book I have to say that I was left disappointed, and being honest it’s not often that this happens with a book. The idea and the direction of where it was going I thought had great potential, but honestly that’s all that was good about this book, but that’s just my personal thoughts… I can understand that Sarah put a lot of thought and effort into writing this book, but it seems to me that this could have been thought out a bit more as it did seem like it was rushed, plus it didn’t seem realistic at all in the slightest way.
I honestly thought that this book had a lot of potential, but the timeline of everything happening just didn’t add up at all… what I mean is that this book literally starts off from the Friday where Tobias can’t get Sophie out of his head, to literally a week and three days later, it just didn’t work for me. I can understand being infatuated with someone after first seeing them, and not being able to get them out of your head, but for Sophie to instantly become cold and detached as soon as she realises who Tobias is and then is instantly agreeing to a date with him is just so backwards that it just wouldn’t happen in real life.
Another thing that stood out to me is that there was just so many grammar issues and to me I think it needs to have another round of editing because there was literally too many to count and it ruined the story for me personally. For example. *After walking into the door, I stripped out of my clothes and hopped into the shower*, with this sentence alone there’s just so many issues with it, I mean if you walk into a door, it means you literally walk into that door and don’t go through it, then there’s the fact that it seems like Tobias is literally having a shower as he walked through the door, there’s no indication that he went to his bathroom (I understand that there’s having common sense, but even still there’s no point in missing out the little details as most likely than often they tend to help build that sentence up) to go shower. It isn’t just this sentence that’s a problem, I was just using this one as an example, but there’s quite a lot through the book and truthfully it seems like either it wasn’t edited properly or no one actually read through it to see if there was anything that was missed.
I honestly hate it having to write reviews that are low starred, because I know how hard authors work to produce their books, and I know that they want to give us the best that they can, but at the same time I can’t go ahead and say that something is truly amazing when that’s not the case, that would be wrong and it wouldn’t be an honest review. I understand that most people will think differently to this book than what I do, but we all have different opinions and all like different things, but even with that in mind, I would still recommend giving this book a try as you may end up liking it a lot more than me or you may end up discovering a new author who you end up falling in love with and just want to keep reading more of her work.

Tobias is the type of guy who is essentially a player but he has his flaws, there’s nothing tying him down and women just interest him A LOT…. But one woman managed to sneak past his layers and change how he is and he ended up putting his playboy shirt down in the hopes of having it all with Elodie. But when one of his students ends up becoming too irresistible he just can’t help himself and ends up losing it all for a quick lay with her. Five years later, his marriage is over and he isn’t ready to settle down or even attempt to find anyone, he’s happy living his playboy life with his best friends every weekend. But when a red haired girl catches his attention at the University where he works, he can’t help but become enamoured with her. When he realises that he may never see her again as he has no idea who she is, if she works there or anything he tries to do his best to get her out of his mind, but life has other plans and they end up sharing one steamy kiss on the dancefloor…. Yet, she runs away when she realises who he is and that he works at the University she just interviewed for.
Will their paths cross again and will it be for the good??? What happens when Tobias realises that she knows his ex-wife, Elodie???

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first time reading Sarah Stein and I enjoyed this quick read!! Sophie is working at a day care center and hoping to land her dream job as a music professor at a local college. She has an interview, and she pretty good about it. She runs into a particular professor as she is running to make it on time for said interview...all she knows is she likes what she sees, and she's left quite the impression on Tobias. Sophie just so happens to be friends with someone that Tobias has a past with and Elodie warns Sophie about Tobias, and has told her about their breakup without sharing his name, or where he works, so Sophie is completely unaware that the man that she can't seem to get outta her head is Elodie's ex!! She is introduced to Tobias and can't believe this is the guy who she believes is a douche...at least from what she's heard. She decides to give him a chance and see where things may go because what she sees in front of her, the way he treats her just doesn't match up with what Elodie has told her. Has Tobias changed? Will he do to Sophie what he did to Elodie? You'll just have to read this little gem to find out!! If I had any complaint where this book is concerned, it's the speed in which they declared their feelings, it felt a little rushed, but overall I really liked Flawed Professor!!

[Jennifer Pierson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm so addicted to the Cocky Hero Club that I don't even read the blurbs anymore so I didn't even know what I was getting into. Tobias got divorced after cheating on his wife with a student, which is where I draw the line at. I can handle flaws, but I couldn't handle Tobias because it felt like he was just making excuses since he really got the player bit down to a science, and now he has a reputation. Sophie is a girl who has trust issues so in my opinion, she should have run far away once she got the 411 on Tobias. She didn't make it easy at least or that would have been it for me, but still I'm the person who totally believes once a cheater always a cheater so she deserved so much better. I know this review seems a bit mean which is something I don't like doing, however, I will try another Sarah Stein story since this is the first book that I've read by her. Please understand that this is only my opinion, so I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you decide for yourselves since my feelings aren't fact.  {3.5 Stars}

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by the author and because it is part of the C. Hero Club, I just had to read it. It reads more like a novella with insta love attraction. Tobias is an art professor who has some issues when it comes to fidelity; case in point, his divorce due to his cheating on his ex, Elodie. Sophie is a music teacher who is looking for her dream job. Through a series of chance encounters, Tobias and Sophie keep running into each other; no names are exchanged until they come face to face at the last place expected. This is not one of my favorites of the series and feel it would have been better served to add more to the overall storyline. Tobias took some warming up to with regards to his being able to change his ways, especially since he liked to go out with “his boys.” I liked that Sophie was willing to hear him out and give him a chance to explain himself. The chemistry between the two is sizzling. Will they be able to make a relationship work between them with Tobias’ red flags?

[Kari Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tobias has always had difficult remaining focused on one woman but when he married Elodie he thought it would be different however it was less than a year later before he had the same difficulties. When he meets his new co-worker he is very attracted to her but history repeat itself or will she be the exception to the rule?

Sophie is friends with Tobias’s ex-wife Elodie so when she finds out that Sophie will be working with him she decides to give her a heads up. Sophie knows about Tobias’s past and decides to give him a chance but will it be the best thing that ever happened to her or her biggest regret?

The chemistry between them is intense but with both their past they have a few setbacks to overcome.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a new author to me and I was looking forward to this book in the Cocky Hero Club. The blurb got me. This is a quick read. I was not able to connect to the characters in the story. I really didn't like Tobias at all. Sophie I didn't have a disliking to as much as Tobias.
After finding out what Tobias had done to his ex-wife Sophie has to decide if she is willing to give Tobias a chance or if she is just going to walk away? If she gives him the chance will it be the biggest regret due to old habits repeating themselves or will it be the best thing to happen?

As always just because this wasn't a favorite for me, I encourage you to read it and decided for yourself if its one of yours.

[Late Night Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flawed Professor was a fun, quick read!! I enjoyed reading about Tobias and Sophie and their slow burn romance. This was weirdly a little too slow burn for me but not unbearable. Tobias is super flawed and was hard to connect with for me. Which made it a smidge harder for me to connect with Sophie. I’m not sure if Tobias wasn’t up to par for my Heroes in books, or what. It also felt like maybe the romance was a little rushed. But watching Tobias and Sophie trying to navigate through a relationship that struggles with having trust and faith in the person you’re with and that felt so real to me. Haven’t we all been in Sophie’s shoes? I know I have. I always enjoy the Cocky Hero Club books and this one was a great addition.

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great addition to this awesome series and is Tobias and Sophie’s story. Tobias is a flawed bad boy, who through a series of bad decisions ended his marriage. Tobias is used to students flirting with him until Sophie who repeatedly gives the cold shoulder, and she is aware of his reputation thanks to his ex. Can this bad boy redeem himself? This is a good story which is a quick slow burn read. The only downside in my opinion only. Is that this story seems a tad rushed; however, I look forward to reading more from this author.

[Lisa Petty (Book Bangers Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sophie and Tobias have instant chemistry, but Tobias has a history of not just a bad boy but he did the unthinkable to his wife. Now divorced and living his life he's met Sophie and he can't get her out of his head, nor does he want to. Sophie knows about Tobias' past, but something tells her he isn't the same man he use to be. Can a misunderstanding between the two be the end, or will Tobias finally realize he has always been waiting for Sophie. This love story is fast past and totally adorable.

[Candy76 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tobias is flawed from his point of view, but what if he wasn't? Sophie has this insane chemistry with a man who's name she doesn't know. Will Tobias' past ruin his future? Can Sophie put Tobias' past where it belongs?
Sarah created wonderful characters that compliment each other as you go down the road with Sophie and Tobias. This story has a chemistry that only few I've heard of actually experience. The story flows easily and keeps you interested.
ARC provided in return for honest review

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me awhile to warm up to Tobis because of his past. When Sophie hears from his ex as to what happened in their marriage, it made me curious as to how things would go between them. This story relays how important communication and trust is between a couple who are involved with each other. Can they make it work?

[Mari (Mystics & Metaphysics Book Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked Sophie and her chemistry with Tobias was explosive but I didn't feel as connected to Tobias as much. He didn't just come out as cocky as you would expect in this world but more self centered. It was nice to see him finally care about someone more than himself but it also felt rushed when Sophie and him finally give in to each other.

[Donna Purcell Zappone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another quick read from the cocky hero series involving Tobias and Sophie.
I wish this book was a full length book instead of a short story. I would have loved to know more from the two of them. I felt there was such a buildup to their date and then it was over.
But let me tell you I did really enjoy this story.

[Millie Colòn Dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read. Tabias the ultimate playboy that thought he couldn’t be tamed and boy was he wrong. Nothing like finding someone to knock you down a peg or two to make you realize once in your life how terrifying it can be losing someone meant for you. Even though I hated what Tabias did in his past relationship, I did enjoy his fear when he finally found someone he didn’t want to lose.

[Ingrid Zago · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing was good, the problem is that it was too difficult for me to cheer for the hero, since I read Park Avenue Player and hated the caracter. Once I realized that the flawed professor was the man that cheated, I was dead set on not giving him a chance, specially because he doesn't seem to feel regret or shame for what he did.

[Lauren Hutchinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall a decent read but there were areas that seemed to be rushed and not fully explained. The storyline was decent and enjoyable but overall the story could have benefited from more detail in parts.

[E&A Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick and steamy read that will make you believe in love and that everyone deserves a chance to change. Tobias and Sophie have lots of issues packed into this read, but their slow burn romance will make you swoon.

[Amy Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sophie & Tobias....
These two really bring a lot throughout the story. Tobias has issues and Sophie happens to be friends with his ex-wife. I will say I did like the person that Tobias is when he is around Sophie. This was such an amazing story!

[evieo17 · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an ok read. I didn’t much care for Tobias. He needed to grow up and deal with his issues. He made too many excuses for the way he was. He also needed to get a new group of friends. Once you get to a certain age, you should really try growing up some.

[Charity(brazenlybookish) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not For Me

Rated: ⭐⭐⭐ 3/5
Heat: 🔥🔥🔥 3/5
Angst: 🖤 1/5

Another novella that I struggled to engage with. There were moments that held a ton of promise and then just fizzled flat. I wish I could say that there was a redeeming quality, but it just wasn't for me.