The English Professor: A steamy British romance by Veronica Peartree. is one of the books I am seriously considering to be my favorite book that I have read this year. I give it five stars wishing I could give it more.
The book is about an administrative assistant, Leyna Sullivan, who works in the English department, and Jack Stanhope, an English professor, working at Castle Eden University in the fictional town of Castle Eden in Britain.
Jack is attracted to Leyna and has been teasing her for about a year, wishing to ask her out. Jack set strict rules for himself and has not broken them. His rule is not to date anybody who works with him because if the relationship ends badly, he would still have to work with her, which would be uncomfortable.
Jack cared about Leyna so much that he didn't want her to become the subject of gossip. Another reason is that he was afraid if someone from the University saw them together, talk would start, and it isn't always the friendliest thing. He knew that some workers at the University thought the administrative assistants should not mix with the higher-ups like the professors. Leyna's boss, Lorna, who was always grouchy, came out and told her. Lorna told Lena that even though she was dating a professor, it would never work out as Leyna would never be as good as him since she was just a poor officer worker. The professor doesn't understand how hard it is to be poor.
Leyna has a degree in Art History from Oxford. When she was at Oxford, her dream was to get a job at an art gallery or a museum and have art shows when she graduated. She wanted to show all the various inexpensive but good paintings that meant something to her from not well-known artists she bought at charity shops. She wanted to try to help these artists be known or maybe just let them have a little recognition.
Her dream didn't work out, as all the jobs at art galleries and museums went to graduates with wealthy families or a family with connections who had those connections get them the jobs. The jobs didn't go to poor students on full scholarships like Leyna.
Leyna's parents thought art history was a waste of time, but Leyna loved art so much that she had to study it. That didn't stop Leyna from following her dreams. She could not afford to stay in Oxford after she graduated and couldn't find a job. So she had to give up her pride and return to her parents, who weren't very happy when Leyna went to Oxford to study art history. They made her feel like they were telling her they knew Leyna wouldn't be able to get a job with her degree.
To continue to follow that dream, she decided she was going to open an art gallery herself one day. Since there was no way she could afford to open one, she posed naked at an art class on the Castle Eden University campus to earn money she was saving to open an art gallery. She put on a wig and sunglasses and used the name Cinnamon, telling herself that nobody recognized her.
Jack used to paint in the past, and his colleague signed him up for an art class. He had no idea Leyna would be the model for this class. Jack didn't even know it was Leyna at first. When Jack recognized her, he didn't tell her. It was part of the games they played at the beginning of their relationship.
Eventually, Leyna realized Jack had recognized her. Even though she loved posing as it made her feel good, Leyna decided to stop modeling for the class.
There was an announcement that the model would leave her job modeling, and the class would not start again until the course got a new model. Since it might be a long time, if at all, to get a new model, Jack decided to be brave.
Jack waited outside class and asked Leyna while pretending he didn't know her true identity if she would come to his house once a week and model naked for him. He offered to pay her well for her work. She decided her art gallery was worth it and agreed to do it. They continued to play the game and pretended they didn't recognize each other.
Leyna showed up at Jack's house in her wig and sunglasses until she decided to show up without them and let him know she isn't pretending they didn't know each other anymore.
Eventually, during one of the painting sessions, Leyna suggested they have one night in bed without the University workers knowing, and it would just be one night. Jack decided he needed more of Leyna that one night. Jack can't stand the idea of being away from Leyna after their time in bed. Jack asks Leyna to go away on a midweek trip with him for work.
Leyna notices there are grants to be given out, and she applies for one to start an art gallery if she gets it. She never stops chasing her dreams.
Jack has a restaurant that he has taken over from his stepdad, a man Jack admired and loved very much. He is getting phone calls from employees that hint something is wrong, but the callers don't tell him what. He will check on the restaurant when he takes Leyna to see it. Jack doesn't tell Leyna who the owner of the expensive restaurant where they went to dinner is until they leave when she reminds him to pay. He said to her that he, as the owner, didn't pay for his food.
At first, she wonders what else she doesn't know about him. He is honest; they talk about it, and she doesn't get mad. I love how perfect they are together; they talk when angry and don't always get mad and assume the worst. They always try to be honest with each other.
Jack asks Leyna to go to the off-campus poetry reading, where he is helping out as he is proud of Leyna and wants to show her off. The professor in charge of the event was rude to Leyna, telling Leyna she didn't think she would be there, inferring she was just an administrative assistant. She even had the nerve to say that she didn't invite Leyna. Jack was furious as that was a public poetry reading. Leyna and Jack had a little intimacy in the room to upset the professor and left early to go for dessert.
Jack decided he cared about Leyna so much that he invited her to the Vice Chancellor's house for a cheese and wine event for professors. He asked her to show all his colleagues they were interested in each other. All went well until a professor recognized Leyna as the model from the art class on campus. The professor started talking in a booming voice that had everyone looking at them, saying that she was once a nude model and said vulgar remarks about Leyna's various body parts. Jack's friends dragged the professor out of the Jack was getting ready to fight him physically.
Leyna was so upset that she ran off. When Jack left the Vice Chancellor's house right after that, Leyna had already driven off in her car, and Jack and his friends had no idea where she was.
Where did Leyna drive off to, and will Jack ever find her? Will Leyna ever get her dream of an art gallery? I will leave you with those questions so that you will read the book.
I loved Leyna and Jack as a couple; they cared deeply about what the other was feeling. If you like a slow-burn romance, this book is for you.
If I wanted to give a moral to this book, it would be to never give up on your dreams.
I would recommend anyone who likes romance books to read this book.
i received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.