Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

The Planck Paradox

Rate this book
Cole Maclean is a philosophy teacher who also fosters service dogs through puppyhood. While she trains cute little Paradox to help a paraplegic friend, she can’t help but notice the pretty new professor with whom she finds herself sharing a supply closet.

Kenzie Philips teaches physics and likes her world to be grounded in the hard sciences. She also fears dogs, so she has no reason to be thinking about the sexy-as-hell teacher who asks head-scratching questions and takes a dog everywhere she goes.

But a shared interest in She-Ra, and a Deaf student needing help with his education, practically guarantee that they can’t ignore the magnetic attraction between them.

141 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 6, 2022

68 people are currently reading
241 people want to read

About the author

Taryn J. Dallas

3 books14 followers
see main profile as TJ Dallas

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
182 (51%)
4 stars
118 (33%)
3 stars
38 (10%)
2 stars
8 (2%)
1 star
5 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
Profile Image for pipsqueakreviews.
588 reviews508 followers
January 17, 2023
Philosophy and physics.

I probably wouldn't even have given this book a second glance if I wasn't introduced to it by a book club friend. To be honest, the cover makes it look like an uninteresting historical romance and the butch in it looks a bit smug.

But I read it. It's short and written by the more innocent alter ego of T.J. Dallas, who has produced extremely steamy sapphic eroticas. This one has steamy scenes but is far less erotic than what Dallas has previously published. This story is about a philosphy lecturer getting it on with the new physics lecturer and it's cute. It's also a rather superficial romance but that's understandable because of the length of the story. There's also some philosophy and physics talk and assistance dogs!
Profile Image for MZ.
432 reviews133 followers
January 15, 2023
Science philosophy and puppies, what’s not to like! A cute novella of a workplace romance between a physics and philosophy teacher (Kenzie and Cole). They start out a little bit as enemies, but it quickly shifts into friends/lovers. I liked their conversations teasing each other on science vs. philosophy in their own very nerdy way. So, where do the puppies come in? Cole trains assistance dogs and the story also highlights the training and importance of assistance dogs. This is a romance novella but Dallas is known for erotica, so it is a cute feel-good read with a good dose of steam, recommended.
Profile Image for Simone11.
251 reviews3 followers
January 15, 2023
4,5 ⭐️ A short feel-good romance, low on the angst. Will definitely check out other books of Dallas.
Profile Image for Kaitlyn.
244 reviews99 followers
January 22, 2023
My mother always said, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all."
Profile Image for AnnMaree Of Oz.
1,510 reviews130 followers
November 14, 2022
Kindle Unlimited.

A lovely, light-hearted, feel good read!

Just perfect for an afternoon or evening; where you want something to lift you up!

It's beautiful in it's simplicity, and yet it's funny and witty too, with cute doggo and catto antics. Add in worthy side-characters with special needs and delightful community comradery, means I was just smiling like a goof-ball throughout.

It's both hot and steamy and cute and cuddly. It's truly a paradox in itself, and I loved the adorkable science-nerd geekery humour included, here, as well!

Just ticked all the boxes and funny bones. I Highly recommend this sweet read to lesfic romance lovers of all types!
Profile Image for Sam.
843 reviews113 followers
January 21, 2023
Sweet novella with lots of nerdy bits and puppies.
Science and philosophy come together in a witty way.
Profile Image for MaxDisaster.
677 reviews90 followers
June 4, 2023
1 star

How to put it...
I can't tell you anything about the romance, because I got annoyed by the educational stuff.
I managed to get to ca 15% and had enough.

Things I hated might just be caused by cultural differences, but I don't think so

Things I hated/confused me way too much:

1) The physics laws one character quoted were mostly simplified to such a degree, that it was like for third grade and not further education (which either means that higher schooling in author's country is woefully inadequate, or that the author has bitten off more than they can chew). The same goes to the philosophy. It was like copied and scrambled wiki-notes. You should teach about the pillars of philosophy BEFORE you teach about Marxism. And Google it properly. And trust me, I'm from a country, where Marxism-Leninism was mandatory for the better part of 50 years.

2) "Most of the basics had been done, even though I might do a refresher on waves, but they still had to cover a few of my favourite topics; kinematics, including gravity and Newton’s laws, and also electricity and magnetism."
Why the hell would anyone teach about wave optics BEFORE kinematics or gravity!?!? And Newton's laws are literally the FIRST thing that should be taught, because 90% of physics are based on either that, or Archimedes' law (until you get far enough, that physics becomes basically philosophy).
Not to mention: don't the students know Newton's laws from middle school??? Those are the basics of the basics...


3 and 4) explanation for their disappearance is in the edit

5) The "chemical", that was the reason for class renovation.
a) it was so strong that it ate through the room including flooring
b) no one in a full class got hurt, despite it eating through wood, metal and stone and destroying it upon touch. I don't think the author knows what a highly corrosive chemical does to human flesh
c) the teacher got fired, not jailed, even though it was mentioned as a dangerous substance that doesn't belong to a school
d) they did interior repair, over damage, that would've destroyed the foundation of the building, which means the whole room was a health hazard, because it could fall apart at any moment

Edit: I've been informed, that this takes place in the UK, even though they mention "high school" a lot. And that college in the UK is for the age bracket ~15-18.
So I retract my statements about the students being grownups and about the weird organisational tactics, but I still believe the rest of my complaints were perfectly valid.
Profile Image for XR.
1,980 reviews107 followers
January 22, 2023
Diggin' this for sure. Good thing I listened to my friends about reading this book by Dallas. The nerdy references, Catradora mentions and doggos... what could be better than that?? NADA!

Also, the cheesy proposal by Cole to Kenzie was *chef's kiss*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Linda.
241 reviews11 followers
December 23, 2022
TJ Dallas has given us a first romance novella that has a dapper to die for philosophy professor Cole and a physics professor in a lab coat Kenzie meet sharing a supply closet. A The Lesbians, the Pets and the Wardrobe of gay romance if you will. Their romance is awww shucks sweet with just in time heat that will put a big smile on your face. TJ is an awesome author and always gives us a great well paced story and this one is no different. I recommend this quick read for a nice romantic getaway.
Profile Image for Lesbereading.
187 reviews535 followers
November 16, 2022
This was the first romance novella by Taryn J Dallas aka TJ Dallas and it was everything I hoped it would be. It had a great opposites attract storyline with two professor MCs and some cute animals too. Even though this was definitely a romance, I saw parts of TJ’s steam coming through which was done perfectly. I look forward to more from Taryn in the future.
Profile Image for queer_aussie_reviews.
316 reviews29 followers
November 14, 2022
The Plank Paradox. What a perfect first plunge into lesbian romance by Taryn J. Dallas and an even better way to spend a few hours on the weekend.

Cole teaches philosophy and has a passion for training service dogs, her current constant companion is the pup, Paradox. Kenzie teaches physics, is new to the school Cole works at, thinks cats win the ‘which pet is better’ war and is absolutely terrified of dogs.

The two women believe that they are complete opposites, but their mutual attraction draws them together and into playful competitions and banter. It isn’t long before they realize that there is a connection they can’t and don’t want to deny. The chemistry is strong, and the romance is sweet. And even better, there is no awkward miscommunication or unnecessary angst.

In life, the concepts in both philosophy and physics go over my head, but the discussions and little bits of knowledge and ideas Dallas weaves throughout this novella are done in a way that is far from boring or confusing and lets the reader into the minds of both really intelligent and fun MCs. A perfect story to get those feel-good vibes flowing.
Profile Image for Lara.
Author 12 books61 followers
November 7, 2022
A cozy romance with butch/femme feels, which is new from this author but very, very enjoyably done.
Profile Image for ᗩᑎᗪᖇᗴᗯ.
524 reviews70 followers
February 21, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this story of Cole and Kenzie, two teachers who meet in the supply cupboard between their classrooms.

Cole teaches philosophy and Kenzie teaches physics. Kenzie has a lifelong fear of dogs and Cole is a volunteer trainer of service dogs, a role which endows her with a constant canine companion.

Differences in their areas of expertise, and the presence of trainee service pup, Paradox, cause the two teachers to clash before they are brought together by their efforts to improve their school's facilities for a deaf student.

The playfully confrontational banter between Kenzie and Cole was the highlight of the book for me. Each delights in teasing the other with facts and traps relating to their fields. I found the frequent scientific and philosophical asides to be interesting, with nothing delving deeply enough for me to lose the plot.

Author Taryn J. Dallas is perhaps best known for Sapphic erotica credited to TJ Dallas. This book includes a couple of delicious steamy scenes, but they are not the focus. And the cover - depicting Cole and Kenzie and their animal companions - feels just right to me.

A bonus thread running through the story sees every character being a fan of She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, an animated series I am not familiar with, but after a week of reading about it, I'm off to check out the first episode as soon as this review is posted.
Profile Image for Lauren.
Author 5 books116 followers
November 21, 2022
‘The Planck Paradox’ is such a sweet and witty novella, I loved it from beginning to end.
The story follows Cole, a philosophy teacher who also trains service dogs and Kenzie, a physics teacher who is highly nervous around even the sweetest of canines. Essentially this is an opposites attract trope but it still felt fresh and original.
The entire story is well written and paced with characters who are earnest and have a simmering attraction for one another. Dallas also includes a deaf character, a student who both teachers are eager to help with inclusion, for me the struggles they face were handled sensitively and realistically.
I loved the ease in which Dallas wrote the banter between the two MCs because it was sweet and sexy in equal measure. An intelligent, funny and hot sapphic read!

Profile Image for Jo Ben-What.
75 reviews2 followers
November 8, 2022
This story has everything i love : great MC (butch/fem without the clichés), great chemistry and flirting, no angst, hot sex. This book didnt desappoint.
Profile Image for Vita L. Licari.
924 reviews45 followers
November 8, 2022
Adorable story

The two teachers Kenzie and Cole are the type of teachers I wish all teachers were like. Smart, kind, loving and dedicated. Though one is a philosophy teacher (Cole) and the other a physicist teacher (Kenzie), so they don't see eye to eye. Yet, there's an attraction. Cole also trains service dogs and Kenzie is afraid of dogs and has a cat. Still, the attraction is immediate.
This is a sweet story with hot sex too!
Profile Image for Wendy Hewlett.
Author 12 books36 followers
March 27, 2023
TJ Dallas’s first foray into lesbian romance is a hit for me. (If you haven’t read her lesbian erotica novels yet, I highly recommend them too.)

I loved the clever play of philosophy paradoxes and the interplay between philosophy and physics. Who says intelligence isn’t sexy?!
Profile Image for Heather.
757 reviews12 followers
October 10, 2023
A Fairly Quick Fun Read!

I actually purchased this book I think in the beginning of the year. Not sure why I didn’t read it right away, but I also didn’t realize who the author was. Well now that’s all rectified and it’s been read and loved! Well written. Glorious steam coming from the MCs from the first spark to the blazing inferno of their spicy times after. They are so fun to read with all the science puns and info. The relationship of the MCs as well as the side characters bring a wholesome feel good plot throughout. The epilogue had me swooning. Loved.
Profile Image for Lyn Denison.
Author 15 books60 followers
January 16, 2025
Ah, yes. Physics meets philosophy. And a reader who gets a headache thinking about trees falling in the forest making or not making a sound. I really enjoyed this even when I was realising just how much I don’t know about things. But I do know a good romance and a satisfying HEA.
403 reviews3 followers
December 8, 2022
This was a wonderful romantic story about two teachers who along with the subjects they teach are worlds apart.
Physics and philosophy are somehow blended together to create a perfect partnership. I loved that the book focused on deaf and partially deaf students, having personal experience. Really lovely book, maybe Taryn/TJ will consider coming over to the dark side (romance) now lol.
Profile Image for This.
284 reviews9 followers
May 1, 2024
This is a novella but there is plenty of story.
Teachers share a walk-in cupboard between their classrooms. But they don't realise it until they literally bump into each other and think the other is skulking about in 'their' cupboard'.
One of them has a puppy with them at school as they train service dogs - so expect some cute puppy action. Of course the other doesn't like dogs and is a cat person.
This is set in Scotland which is good.
There is a lot of knowledge in this book - so a lot of research or existing knowledge being utilised here. There is also a lot of teachers being kind and this includes for example changing the assignment for a kid whose parent is having chemo. No written assignment required - what was required was to watch a film with her parent and have popcorn and enjoy time together.
I also like the fact that there is no ableism shown in the book. The service dog is for a woman who uses a wheelchair - she is shown as just as much of a capable, sexual woman as the others in the book. Normalising friendship and relationships which is always a good thing, but not always present.
The epilogue might have contained a proposal but it also had much more - an update about other characters.
Profile Image for Michael.
110 reviews3 followers
Read
January 21, 2025
I didn't exactly know what I was getting into with this one! Haha it has several spicy scenes, but it's not *quite* erotica. Four out of five chili peppers. I have rated it as such on Romance.IO, where it previously had an unrated "Steam Rating". 😅

The author consistently portrayed the main characters' primary attraction to each other as sexual, in the way they looked at each other, thought about each other, etc. I didn't 100% relate to that, but it was effective use of perspective. I liked that this was balanced by intellectual, sensual, and romantic attraction as the characters got to know each other. You could also argue for some spiritual attraction, or at least spiritual connection, in their shared mission to support disabled people and educate their students.

I also really enjoyed the light, fluffy tone of the romance, as well as the strong disability representation. And I'm pretty sure I accidentally learned a bit of science & philosophy along the way.
Profile Image for Elena Abbott.
Author 7 books49 followers
February 24, 2024
Exceptionally cute

It took me a while to sit down and actually read this one, but I am so glad I did. The instant chemistry between the two main characters was amazingly done and felt so very realistic. I kept waiting for the other foot to drop but there was no need.
The relationship built so smoothly and as is normal for TJ's books the steamy scenes were extra amazing. I don't think I've ever read books with such well written sex scenes than the ones TJ puts out.
I highly recommend this story to all sapphic lovers. I'm going to read it to my wife next (see what she says about the philosophy puns with her bachelor's degree in philosophy)
Profile Image for En.
71 reviews5 followers
Read
December 31, 2025
I went into The Planck Paradox without reading the blurb and was expecting a historical fiction 😅. It turned out to be a low angst, cozy workplace romance between two teachers.

Cole, a philosophy teacher, and Kenzie, a new physics teacher, did not think they’d have anything in common when they literally bumped into each other in a shared supply closet (and yes, the chance for a closet joke wasn’t wasted). But as they debate and explore differences between their fields, a bond forms.

If you’re looking for a quick read with a straightforward romance without much conflict, check out The Planck Paradox.
587 reviews5 followers
March 31, 2023
I loved this novella, I am still giggling at all the puns!

T. J. Dallas has produced a delightfully witty story with enough science to scare the under educated general public yet bring loud laughs to those of us that have studied both physics and philosophy! The love story was wonderfully presented and light. The characters perfectly convey the story. I loved it from page one right to the final period. I look forward to my next read by T. J. Dallas and highly recommend this to all.
Profile Image for Donna Reed.
894 reviews3 followers
October 24, 2024
This is such a great read. The tale journeys with the philosophy and science professors teaching next door to one another. Add one training a service dog while the other is allergic and frightened of dogs and we have to move from enemies to friends and beyond . The discussions were done with humour and the debates done with love. I loved the hearing impaired student and both teachers learning to make accommodations. I even switched to watch the movie Interstellar which linked the conversation about black holes, time and deep space really well. The book title is a great clue. Well done TJ
111 reviews
November 9, 2022
Sweet and fun to read

I'd been looking forward to reading this for a while and it did not disappoint! The characters were so sweet together that they were easy to root for and I loved the way they teased each other. Add in zero angst and a few of those extra steamy scenes that TJ writes so well and you have yourself a fun read. Hopefully TJ has more stories like this planned for the future.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.