Welcome back readers! I thought I’d have the time to publish something while I was on a multi Euro trip, but alas, I was exhausted after every single day.
Now that I am back in Sweden, I have books to talk to you about and I am super excited! October is also one of my favourite months, as things start getting cozier and the leaves turn yellow and red. This October is even more special as we await the re-release of Taylor Swift’s 1989. Cannot wait!
Today I bring to you a short review of this steamy friends-to-lovers queer novel I read a while back! As you may notice, the setting is an academic one, but no fear, there’s no weird relations of power going on!
They were supposed to keep things casual. Who’d expect they’d be schooled in love?
Those who can, teach. Marvin Block is one of the best kindergarten teachers out there. And despite his anxiety, Marvin’s life is sweet. He knows what he wants. And what he wants is the Teacher of the Year Award. Not just for himself – his school needs him to win.
Returning from break, the New Year finds Marvin all set to welcome a new pupil to his class. But when Illona walks in with her cute-as-hell single dad beside her, Marvin’s focus starts to slide.
Sure, his students always come first, but he deserves to have a life outside the classroom, too, right?
As their friendship starts to deepen, Marvin realizes Olan has the potential to teach him things about love he never thought possible. But with the Teacher of the Year award and his school’s future on the line, now’s not the time for anything complicated.
Education has always been Marvin’s world. And he needs to keep a cool head if he wants to win the award and save his school. But will it be worth it if he loses Olan in the process?
With Olan’s past and Marvin’s present colliding, their experiment in love hangs in the balance. Marvin knows what he wants out of life. But now he’s forced to consider what he wants out of love.
This is one of those novels you can just devour in one day, as it’s fast paced and keeps you hooked with every new development. And boy, we have many developments!
The book is a whirlwind of events that barely leave us with time to breathe, as the characters themselves struggle to pace their attraction and growing affection as well. Despite its wit and developments, the real strength of this novel lies in its characters.
Wardell created such layered characters, and did well in focusing on a handful instead of presenting us with a cohort of underrepresented ones. Their development is clear – although not linear – and that is one of the things I enjoyed the most about it. Marvin’s is our protagonist, and he is not only dealing with the aftermath of a breakup, but with underlying issues concerning his mother and her past alcoholism and neglect. Olan’s the romantic interest and his backstory and his present are explored with care and empathy.
While we get one POV, this doesn’t mean we totally lack Olan’s perspective, as Marvin’s very self aware and empathetic, not to mention that they’re two grown adults who actually communicate and don’t leave space for total misunderstandings.
Overall, I enjoyed this quick read and loved getting to know these characters. There were really steamy scenes as well as cute ones involving Olan’s daughter (who’s also Marvin’s pupil).
LitForQueers 