A Season of Eden

Jan 14, 2012 Donna rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: best-bitten, squeemers

I don't know about you, but that's one of the damn sexiest things I've ever read. It's dripping with this forbidden, strained, stressed sexual tension that permeates the pages and has me rooting for the two to just hook up already.

Is this a high school student/teacher relationship? Yes. Why do I find nothing wrong with this? Because the student, Eden, is 18. The teacher, James, is 22. Under any other circumstances, there'd be nothing wrong with this relationship. Is it undermining James's profes...more I don't know about you, but that's one of the damn sexiest things I've ever read. It's dripping with this forbidden, strained, stressed sexual tension that permeates the pages and has me rooting for the two to just hook up already.

Is this a high school student/teacher relationship? Yes. Why do I find nothing wrong with this? Because the student, Eden, is 18. The teacher, James, is 22. Under any other circumstances, there'd be nothing wrong with this relationship. Is it undermining James's professional integrity? Absolutely. Is he still violating a code of conduct? Of course he is. But both parties involved are of the legal age of consent in any state so circumstances aside, I don't have a problem with it.

That out of the way, I absolutely devoured this book. Would I call it a romance? Not really. It doesn't fit any of the romance tropes. The ending is optimistic but not conclusive. It leaves you wondering, which romance, as I understand it, doesn't. But is it raw and passionate? Absolutely.

Every single fleck of emotion Eden emoted I could feel. From her jealously of other female students to her drive (and at times obsession) to be with James. Every single piece of it I felt. It was like I became Eden, I could feel her emotions so deeply. But there were times where I was able to step back, where I wanted to warn her to back away. Take it easy. Not so fast. Chill out. In a way I was kind of guiding myself.

Why? I was in a similar, albeit much less involved, situation in high school. I was a senior (17 until May of that year) and we had a student teacher that like every girl was drooling over. He wasn't even out of college although I can't accurately remember if he was getting his Masters or if he was finishing his teaching degree. Since he was externing in a classroom, I'm logically leaning towards the latter. So that made him . . . 21? 22? We flirted. Absolutely. We could have rightly shared a cafeteria table only a few years before so where was the problem, right? I knew things about his personal life that a student probably shouldn't have known. It never advanced to the degree that Eden and James did. Not even close. But reading this book made me remember everything I felt with that student teacher. All the jealously, striving to stand out in a group of girls so he'll notice me, structuring my day around his class. Of course. I felt like I was reliving a part of my high school life reading this and for a few hours, I absolutely loved it.

It's such raw emotion. It flames forth unabated, unchecked. Eden wants to find out where James lives so she stalks him a little. Just a little. There are no checks or balances there because it's something she always does with her friends when they want to know more about a new boy. Things like that are rationalized. The Id is prominent, clawing its way to the forefront and telling reason to shut the hell up. God, I couldn't get enough of it.

As I said before, the writing just drips with a vibrating, buzzing sexual tension that's just at the forefront of coming to a head. From the beginning it's there, mounting, and you keep reading because you're willing to do anything to sate that tension but will it go away?

I was a little over Eden's rich girl 'I get everything' attitude. Even though that was a major factor in the storyline, I kind of wished it happened to a, well, more deserving girl. One that didn't have everything handed to her on a silver platter, that couldn't manipulate her way into and out of anything to get her desired outcome. Like I said, it's all relevant in the end but I still couldn't help but wish she wasn't the little rich girl. The absentee parents kind of irked me as well. It was very convenient. Again, relevant to the plot as it all comes full circle but like the rich girl, I was over it.

There is also some pretty heavy religious undertones in the story. Eden - garden of forbidden fruit, Eve the temptress. It all fits. On top of that, Grove Creek Publishing in and of itself has a religious bent to it. They're not a Christian press but their mission statement is having "clean" YA absent of lewdness, etc. But reading A Season of Eden with all its ripe sexual tension, you wouldn't get that if you didn't look into the publisher beforehand. There's definitely some level of spiritual cleansing going on at the end (absent actual religion, I just want to be clear, this is not Christian literature) but honestly, it's something the character needs so it fits. I didn't mind it in the slightest.

So while there were a few things I could have lived without in A Season of Eden, those were easily enough stashed away under the rug and allowed me to read this flavorful piece of meat from beginning to end, running the entire way. The writing is glorious, the tension rips at your brain and it'll have you salivating for more the more pages you turn. If you want an nontraditional romance that'll leave you scratching at your face, but in a good way, you'll want to read A Season of Eden. And then you'll probably get writer envy because quite frankly, I've never read sexual tension written this well before. Makes me want to write a scene just to see how I measure up. And I don't even write romance-ish stuff.(less)

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Nov 15, 2012 Vikki ~where did my *squee* go ~ rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: student-teacher, sweet, h-h-needs-a-2x4

I'm really frustrated with this book. First, there is Eden. I had no luck figuring her out. At times, she seemed like a deep thinker, more mature then her age - but then she spouting "That's lame" or "Don't be retarded". It's like the author couldn't decided if she was going to be a lonely, hurt soul who was looking for something to fill the void, or a vapid, spoiled "mean girl" who was stymied by the fact that she finally found something that she wanted, that she couldn't have. The back and for...more

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Mar 21, 2010 Daisy added it

You know that scene in “Twilight” where Edward and Bella are in the meadow? That scene you read late into the night over and over and your face was flushed and you were glad everyone else in the house was asleep because you had goosebumps on your arms and your skin was kind of tingling in anticipation of a fictional kiss? Well, if you want to recapture that feeling strung out over an entire book, then read JM Warwick’s “Season of Eden.” The book is one long seduction, one tantalizing buildup.

The...more

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Nov 12, 2012 Alex rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: don-t-even-know-what-this-is

Such a stupid book! Children's minds in teenagers' bodies, bad, I mean BAAAD dialogue and the heroine - whatserface..oh yeah, Eden, like in the title, slut/bitch/vain/stupid/slut/slut. She's practically raping James every chance she gets.

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James is no jewel either, can't control his class or himself!

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Stupid book, this is what you get for being stupid!!

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Apr 08, 2013 Janna Horlick rated it 1 of 5 stars

A Season of Eden is INSANE, SCARY, and at times ROMANTIC.

Eden, quite frankly, was a hypocrite. She goes around complaining about how childish her friends are, yet she isn’t much better. Don’t get me wrong, there are parts of the book where she has deep, meaningful thoughts… but then she follows up with a “Why is SHE passing out the music?” Really, Eden? Stop saying you are growing up and becoming better than your friends, and just do it already! (view spoiler)...more

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Nov 14, 2012 Liттlє Lαмв rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favourites, student-teacher, young-adult, highschool-romance

I flew through this book in 0.9 seconds, with the wind blowing through my hair, smiling all the way!
___________________________________

If you like somewhat darker tales, this is right up your alley. Just the way it is told, it seems so dark and intimate. It's almost like it is you and you hold all the secrets, but you are learning them all for the first time. Every single piece of it I felt. It was like I became Eden, I could feel her emotions so deeply. But there were times where I was able to...more

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Jul 19, 2012 Ms. Library rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-general-fiction, don-t-bother

Oh, Free Kindle Books-why do I always fall for you. And this time, I did it without even checking to see what this book was about, which in my case, was a fatal mistake. This wasn't as poorly written as the other book I read by Jennifer Laurens, which was a relief. There were still some odd moments, "The dress looked like a legwarmer on an oak tree." WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN? Step away from the adjectives and similes and metaphors Laurens. Do all of us a favor. There was also some obviously reus...more

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Feb 24, 2013 inga rated it 2 of 5 stars Recommends it for: No one

Shelves: books-i-own, didn-t-like-the-heroine-or-the-hero, horrible, reviewed, 2011, makes-me-want-to-die, self-published-indie-publisher, love-the-title, ya-realistic-contemporary, reviewed-2011, reviewed-self-published-books, blah, worst-books-ever

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. 1.5/5*

Basically, this is the story of a spoiled and conniving girl who won't leave her (not very clever) teacher alone and eventually forces him into a fucked up realtionship.
The girl's name is Eden. She's used to getting what she wants, and when she sets her eyes on her new teacher, Mr.Christian, she falls head over heels for him. Because Mr. Christian (or James) is so hawt.

Yep, Eden complains throughout the whole book about how shallow and superficial her peers are, even though she fell for h...more

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Apr 08, 2013 Sami rated it 2 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Sep 19, 2012 Sonnie (Future Mrs.Eric Northman) rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I'm so mad that I wasted four hours reading this book straight last night when I came home from work. The writing was decent, and the story had the potential to be awesome... but every time it was about to go over and enter into the "Oh my god, I have to keep reading" phase, the author would step back from the jump. However, me, being the book lover that I am, kept reading. I just thought "she's going to take the plunge, it's going to happen, this book is about to get amazing." Except it didn't....more I'm so mad that I wasted four hours reading this book straight last night when I came home from work. The writing was decent, and the story had the potential to be awesome... but every time it was about to go over and enter into the "Oh my god, I have to keep reading" phase, the author would step back from the jump. However, me, being the book lover that I am, kept reading. I just thought "she's going to take the plunge, it's going to happen, this book is about to get amazing." Except it didn't. I was left on the last page and my final words were "WTF?!" It was like she just up and left the book unfinished. I kept thinking of what my creative writing teacher would tell me last semester, "Leave your characters in a room, LOCK the door, and don't let them come out until it's over!" Eden and James need to be locked up in that music room and not be allowed to come out until something is freaking resolved.

The Cons:
*The other characters were more reminiscent of junior high kids, than acutal young adults.
*Unsatisfying overall
*Insta love
*James walked a fine line between sensitive and just plain being a woman- seriously, a pink shirt?
* Inconsistent writing- first James is 22, then he's 21. Edens mom died 10 years, then it was 12.

The Pros:
*Great tension/ build up... but that's all it was- you're left hanging
*I liked Eden. At first I thought she was a complete bitch, but in the end I saw what she truly was- a girl just trying to grow up.
*The church scene- right when they are about to leave after James has played for her... yeah, that was pretty hot.

Overall:
This book gives off the impression that it's a romance. In fact, it gives that impression through out the whole entire thing until you reach 97% of it and then you realize the author is going to change the direction on you. So, 97% of it IS romance, the other 3% is coming of age. But it's the LAST 3% and that's what's important because it's the ending! I felt ripped off a little. I really was starting to love the story, but it needed to go to the next level. Right now, I can just compare it to a bad lifetime movie.

More of this review and others at: www.litgirlreviews.blogspot.com(less)

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Sep 19, 2012 Angelic rated it 4 of 5 stars

I liked this book and the taboo of liking your teacher and wanting more than a teacher student relationship. The heat between the two characters is undeniable and so is the attraction. I see a lot of reviews where is said the book was not good because of the taboo of student and teacher but thats the whole point of books, They take you where you normally wouldnt go. This book has many sides to it. Theres the rich girl who is popular but of course theres more to that story.The girls who is sick a...more

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Apr 06, 2012 Rachel Lynn Sterling rated it 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book. I read a few reviews that said that it wasn't very well written, but I didn't find that to be true. I thought the author did a great job of helping you picture each scene in your head without overdoing it. She certainly made me feel the sexual tension and longing in the relationship! I found myself to be as nervous and frustrated as the characters were! I found Eden to be foolish, spoiled, & self-centered at some times; and hopeful, maturing, and interspective at other tim...more

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Jul 17, 2011 Missy (Missy's Reads & Reviews) rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book obviously touches on the very taboo relationship between a high school student and her music teacher. It's a subject that people are always very weary about, but one thing that makes it a little more tolerable in this book is that the age gap isn't THAT much - only four years, in fact. I'm not condoning these types of things, but that makes it a little easier to swallow than an 18-year-old girl falling for a 40-year-old man, wouldn't you agree?

There were many ups and downs for me in th...more

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Jul 11, 2011 Roxanne rated it 1 of 5 stars

Ugh...what a waste of my time.

This next bit will contain SPOILERS! So if you actually plan on reading this terrible book then don't read on.

Eden Eden Eden...I could not believe how selfish she was. I've read some terrible books and some disastrous characters but Eden has made it to my top 5. She stomped on anyone that was in her way, didn't care how her words affected other people and was sooooooo immature. But she wasn't the only problem, we had her best friend Brielle who was the biggest pus...more

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Jul 02, 2011 Sami rated it 2 of 5 stars

This book has a topic that is a little hard for me to like. Romantic teacher-student relationships are simply wrong in my book no matter what the age. These are my personal feelings about them.

What makes Eden and her teacher, Mr. Christian, so different from teacher-student relationship portrayed in books like Prey and Boy Toy is that Eden is 18 and Mr. Christian (James) is 22. The relationship is skirting a fine line between what is appropriate and what isn't. For me, it is inappropriate for an...more This book has a topic that is a little hard for me to like. Romantic teacher-student relationships are simply wrong in my book no matter what the age. These are my personal feelings about them.

What makes Eden and her teacher, Mr. Christian, so different from teacher-student relationship portrayed in books like Prey and Boy Toy is that Eden is 18 and Mr. Christian (James) is 22. The relationship is skirting a fine line between what is appropriate and what isn't. For me, it is inappropriate for any teacher to have a relationship with his or her students. Even university professors are, in most cases, not allowed to have a relationship with their students even if they are legally adults. I don't think that Warwick is trying to say that Eden and Mr. Christian's relationship is any better or less sketchy, but I do feel that Warwick has found a new way to write about this kind of relationship.

Eden is teenager who lost her mother years ago, and who watched her father jump into a new marriage just months later. Now, Eden feels forgotten by her father, and hates being around her stepmother. She listens to them fighting and you can tell how badly she wants to escape her home life. Perhaps it's this family life that causes Eden to fall for an inappropriate man, and quickly leave her high school boyfriend without much of a thought. Or perhaps it's the fact that Mr. Christian is only four years older then Eden that they try to convince each other they aren't doing anything wrong. Whatever their insecurities are with this relationship they both can't seem to stop each other from doing it.

This was a well-written, lyrical book. The romance between Eden and Mr. Christian is so tantalizing it's hard not to want things to work out for them. You can really see how Eden falls for Mr. Christian and how he reluctantly falls for her. More of this book is played towards how this relationship helps Eden grow as a person rather then the fact that his is her teacher. Whatever your own feelings are on student-teacher relationships I urge you to give this book a try. I really believe it will have readers talking, and as a comparative piece to YA books like Boy Toy and Prey it has the potential to really spark a discussion. This book was first released in 2008, and is available in paperback.(less)

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Jun 11, 2011 Crystal rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: for-review, teen-book-scene, read-june-2011

I have read several of Jennifer Laurens books now and I have never been disappointed. She has a writing style that I really enjoy, it's almost lyrical and she is good at really getting to the heart of teenagers. A Season of Eden is no different than other books I have read by her. I raced through it, felt like I was one of the characters and thoroughly enjoyed the book's entertainment value.

Eden is a high school senior, she's popular, she has a boyfriend and great friends, her home life isn't so...more

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May 19, 2011 Genessis rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

First of all, The apple in the cover is so ironic since wouldn't that be the correct thing you would offer a teacher? An apple to say that you appreciate them teaching you. Yet it is also the symbol of the forbidden fruit in Adam and Eve's sin. Hmm ,just think about that for a second. This book was heart pounding at times and sweet at others. But it was most definitely charged with sexual tension. You could feel the chemistry between Eden and Mr.Christian. I don't know how the others couldn't fe...more First of all, The apple in the cover is so ironic since wouldn't that be the correct thing you would offer a teacher? An apple to say that you appreciate them teaching you. Yet it is also the symbol of the forbidden fruit in Adam and Eve's sin. Hmm ,just think about that for a second. This book was heart pounding at times and sweet at others. But it was most definitely charged with sexual tension. You could feel the chemistry between Eden and Mr.Christian. I don't know how the others couldn't feel it sizzling in the air. I mean, come on, you got to admit that you have had a crush on at least one of your teachers before.
Eden the protagonist in this book is a rich girl who has it all, friends and a boyfriend who seems to love her. But all that becomes childish when she meets her new choir teacher, Mr. Christian. The instant they meet sparks fly and from then on it's impossible for them to stay apart. Eden begins to like him more and more as time goes on and she gets to know him better.
This book was so good because it kept you one the edge of your seat thinking, "When are they going to hook up?" and then "Oh man!." The whole book revolved around Mr. Christian and Eden as they struggled to have a relationship even though it's forbidden because she's his student. It was one of the sexiest books I've ever read without the sex part. That's exactly what keeps you reading the book. It's sweet and just perfect.
Now, the music. Oh, the classical music. Who doesn't like a guy with good taste in music and magic hands? Uh? Ahem. Yeah. That's what I loved the most about Mr. Christian, his sweetness, good manners and passion for Music, not to mention the fact that his love for Eden was naive. He was the perfect man, yeah, a man and not a boy, which is the only thing Eden knows.
So, what are you waiting for? Do you need more to go to the store and buy the book or something? Have I not given you enough reasons yet?
Love. Sexual tension. Sweetness. And amazing music! Not to mention a man worth putting make up on! Swoon. :D (less)

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Sep 04, 2010 Michelle rated it 3 of 5 stars

A Season of Eden is about an extremely touchy subject – a high school teacher’s romantic entanglement with a student.

From the outset, Warwick is a risk taker. She doesn’t tip toe around teenage sexuality, sex, or the emotional connections children have with the people charged with their care taking. In fact, she infuses these elements so perfectly together that Eden effortlessly navigates between her friends, the teacher and her family.

Certainly, given subject matter with as much potential for c...more A Season of Eden is about an extremely touchy subject – a high school teacher’s romantic entanglement with a student.

From the outset, Warwick is a risk taker. She doesn’t tip toe around teenage sexuality, sex, or the emotional connections children have with the people charged with their care taking. In fact, she infuses these elements so perfectly together that Eden effortlessly navigates between her friends, the teacher and her family.

Certainly, given subject matter with as much potential for controversy as this an author one would have to have some level of daring. Warwick rises to the challenge not only with a subdued but emotional plot but also writes realistic dialog. The story is pretty light on the scene setting but being more contemporary it doesn’t require as much imagination as fantasy or dystopian literature. Most all of us have been to high school, the mall, the beach and such places so smaller references to location did the trick.

Subtlety was a welcomed addition to this story. The mere subject increased the potential for it to go terribly wrong, to go way over the top. But Warwick did an excellent job of taking risks that weren’t so in your face. They were more finessed — characterizations were more subtle and situations were blunt but not overwhelming. I will say, though, that there was a bit of cliche peppered throughout. Not so much that it ruined the story but at times it wasn’t difficult to tell what was going to happen.

Written tastefully and with great care, Warwick handles the inappropriateness of the student/teacher relationship delicately. The testament to this is that I could actually see the relationship being successful in the end. It wasn’t a pervery old guy chasing after the hot young popular thing that sits in his classroom every day. This was no Lolita.

Eden was definitely the aggressor but her aggression came from a place of unbalance. No, not necessarily mental unbalance or obsession but from a place of belonging. With a fractured and discontented family life, as well as a series of superficial friendships she longed to feel included and prioritized. Her focus on the relationship with James was more about that than James himself.

I do think this book is appropriate for young adult audiences but probably more towards the upper end of the age group. It’s definitely a good adult read — short, sweet, to the point.(less)

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Aug 24, 2010 Marcie rated it 4 of 5 stars

I have to admit when I first read the blurb on the back cover I was a little creeped out about the student-teacher relationship. So before I go on I want to ease your mind a little, Eden is eighteen and Mr. Christian is twenty-two. Feel better? Me too. Now that that’s out of the way, let’s talk about the story. This book is about so much more than just a student-teacher affair. It's more of a coming of age story about all kinds of relationships between friends, father/daughter and of course stud...more

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May 26, 2009 Allison rated it 2 of 5 stars

Warwick, J.M. A Season of Eden 248pgs. Grove Creek Publishing Language~PG-13; Sexual Content~PG-13 Violence~PG

“He's my teacher. I shouldn't be alone with him. But I can't help that he's irresistible.” taken from ARC’s back cover. Eden is looking forward to her last semester in high school and takes Chorus for an easy ‘A.’ What she didn’t expect was a new teacher, Mr. Christian, who was not much older than her and h-o-t! Eden falls fast and hard and knows she shouldn’t but can’t resist. Living in...more

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Apr 22, 2013 Annabelle rated it 3 of 5 stars

Rating: 2.5 Stars

This book had a really good premise about forbidden love between a teacher and a student so I decided to give it a try. Honestly, it wasn't a bad novel but there was so much potential and so much room for development that I was disappointed with how it ended. (view spoiler) Our main character is Eden, a rich, hig...more

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Mar 11, 2013 Diana rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: teacher-student-affair

DAMN. Extreme disappointment..
This cover of the book was appealing
The plot sounded appealing..

But in all actuality...

IT WAS A MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT

The teacher sounds like a very attractive and smart person, but very naive.

BUT THIS GIRL. HOLY MACARONI! THIS GIRLL!

Who the hell would like her? You know nothing of her besides that she drops all of her friends just about to stalk this teacher she is madly in love with?

Let's not mention how the ending and most of the plot just didn't make any sens...more

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May 03, 2011 Inspired Kathy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2011

I jumped at the chance to read this book simply because of the author, I didn't even read the book summary before accepting this book for review. When I got the book and read the summary I was a little worried. He's my teacher. I shouldn't be alone with him. But I can't help that he's irresistible. Having read Jennifer Lauren before I only hesitated for a minute before starting the book. The subject matter maybe taboo I found myself enjoying this forbidden love story. To put your mind at ease s...more

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Jun 18, 2010 Tori [Book Faery] rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, reviewed, highly-recommended, favorites, read-in-2010

First a bit of back story: I was scanning through the Around the world ARC Tours, checking to see if there were other available titles (I've only joined recently) that were still open. A Season of Eden was, and while it intrigued me, it also repelled me. First I was intrigued by the summary alone, but then, paranormal-addict that I am, I realized I would probably not want to write a review about it. I moved on.

A week later, I had returned to the page for this book, staring longingly at the beaut...more First a bit of back story: I was scanning through the Around the world ARC Tours, checking to see if there were other available titles (I've only joined recently) that were still open. A Season of Eden was, and while it intrigued me, it also repelled me. First I was intrigued by the summary alone, but then, paranormal-addict that I am, I realized I would probably not want to write a review about it. I moved on.

A week later, I had returned to the page for this book, staring longingly at the beautiful cover. The summary resonated with me; I had the sudden urge to dip my toes back into the high school life--if only to briefly reminisce.

I received the ARC in the mail yesterday, stuffing the book into my purse in my haste to catch my train. I had planned on reading it as quickly as I could in order to pass it on to the next person. I didn't read it on the train ride there. I did, however, read it on the ride back home... and I almost missed my stop because of it.

As I munch on some Skittles at 2am, I've realized something: this is the first Young Adult book--and a non-paranormal one at that--which has moved me to this degree. Why else would I be guzzling down sugar, overeager to type out my review? (and I had planned on not posting anything tomorrow [well, today now:] because I was behind on reviews)

While most of us might cringe when looking back upon high school (I know I do more often then not), this novel has the potential to summon memories of young love to the forefront of one's mind. It, for me personally, reminded me of the person I was, and how much I've changed since then. It was beautiful and ugly all at the same time. It reinforced the reality of how harsh teenagers can be--and even adults. I was reminded of how wonderful it can be to meet such a talented, pure soul, and the fear of how your "darkened" soul would corrupt the other.

Well maybe that one's just for me, and maybe I've figured out why this has resonated with me so much. I dated a musician, and much like James, my first boyfriend was innocent, optimistic, naive, and so pure it was astounding. In comparison, I felt like a typical dramatic teenager who was getting over a rough time in her life. Yep, I didn't have the student-teacher relationship, but I definitely had the musician relationship, and it was beautiful while it lasted.

I was reminded of how flaky girls can be at that age (because I'm not reminded of this on an almost daily basis *sarcasm*), and how nasty they can get when more than one of them is struggling to attain the attention of the boy they currently want. *raises hand* I've been guilty of that one. I was reminded of how easily a friendship can dissipate, and how easy it is for "friends" to gang up on one victim. I was reminded of the desolation one can feel, and how that is multiplied when something goes wrong within the family. I was reminded of that, and so much more.

There were minor factors that annoyed me, such as the overuse of the words "retard", "lame", and "I'm sorry". Likewise, Eden's immature thoughts sometimes irked me, but when I really thought about it.... well hell, I get like that too sometimes, as does everyone. Besides, this is an 18 year old rich girl who always--as it was reiterated numerous times--gets her way.

The development of Eden's character was outstanding. She really transformed from some snooty little high school brat into a beautiful young woman right before the reader's eyes. Time somehow manages to blur together so that the reader, aside from when Eden announces it's a new day of school, has no real sense of how many days have passed. Normally I would frown upon this, but in this situation, I believe that this was another element that enhanced my reading experience. How many times, as a young teenage girl, did time fly by during school as you waited and thought about your potential love interest, or even just a crush?

And now that I've finished the other half of my bag of Skittles, I feel it necessary to wrap up my review (and hopefully pass out before the sugar kicks in). While not a paranormal book, I believe A Season of Eden is something that everyone should read. I loved it. It managed to make me tear up, and it also reminded me of how innocent love can be sometimes (emphasis on the sometimes). Once I have the money, I will definitely be buying an actual copy of this book, because I know I will, at some point, re-read this. I only wish there was a sequel...(less)

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Oct 09, 2012 Lauren rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012

First off, I have to say that I am OFFICIALLY NOT A FAN OF OPEN ENDINGS. I get the author wants to leave it up to the reader. Well.... BOO!

Clearly, in my head it ends with a happily ever after, but I want the book to TELL ME THIS. Not leave it open-ended.

An epilogue should have been a must in this book and it was missing. REALLY missing.

With that said, I did not want to put this book down.

Holy hotness.

This story was captivating! James Christian = LOVE.

James {Mr. Christian} a new teacher who...more

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Sep 26, 2012 Eva Márquez rated it 4 of 5 stars

MY THOUGHTS
Eden is a beautiful and sought after 18-year old senior at a prestigious Southern California High School. Her life seems perfect, if outsiders don’t look beneath the surface. Although Eden seems to have it all – good friends, a popular and good looking boyfriend, a ‘mansion’ for a house, and a luxury car she can call her own – she is a lonely girl who misses her deceased mother and can’t get her father to notice her since he’s married a superficial blonde who is only interested in his...more MY THOUGHTS
Eden is a beautiful and sought after 18-year old senior at a prestigious Southern California High School. Her life seems perfect, if outsiders don’t look beneath the surface. Although Eden seems to have it all – good friends, a popular and good looking boyfriend, a ‘mansion’ for a house, and a luxury car she can call her own – she is a lonely girl who misses her deceased mother and can’t get her father to notice her since he’s married a superficial blonde who is only interested in his wealth. As an only child, she has no one to share her frustrations, concerns and sorrows…just a pet dog that joins her at home when she returns from school every day.

* Plot Spoilers*
It’s the first day of the last semester of senior year and Eden enrolls in an ‘easy A’ – Chorus Choir – where she sets her eyes on the most gorgeous guy she’s ever seen. Unfortunately, that gorgeous and charismatic guy is her new Choir teacher, Mr. Christian. He’s so young, so talented, so gifted with the piano, so passionate about music and engendering interest in his students. Engender interest he does! It’s clear from the outset that the females in the choir room are smitten by this new, young good looking and enthusiastic choir teacher. Eden wastes no time and begins to implement the all too familiar subtle flirtation strategies that many female students employ when they develop crushes on their hot young teachers. Except, most of these crushes go unnoticed and much of the strategizing is rarely successful…but…

Mr. Christian does not, in any direct way, enable Eden’s flirtatiousness. In fact, he does quite the opposite, warning Eden that her behavior is inappropriate and constantly reminding her that she’s a student and he’s a teacher. Eventually, Mr. Christian’s desire for and interest in Eden is too much to handle and he makes a move and kisses Eden passionately as she excitedly reciprocates. She’s 18, he’s 22 and she’s two months shy from graduating. What’s the big deal, right? Wrong! The pureness of Mr. Christian’s kiss confuses Eden and she feels as though she is corrupting his innocence. Eventually Eden overcomes her own lack of innocence and learns to deal with being in love with a man as pure and honorable as Mr. Christian.

The relationship between Mr. Christian (or James) and Eden, if it can be called that, is for the most part and emotional one and very little physical interactions take place between the two due to Mr. Christian’s firm belief that a romantic relationship between student and teacher is absolutely inappropriate. Eden grudgingly agrees to give Mr. Christian the time he needs (i.e. until she graduates) and lays off on her persistent pursuit.

Laurens writes an impeccable story with real characters who are tormented, confused, lonely and falling in love with each other. The story had a perfect harmony of ‘flow’ and it was wholeheartedly believable. Eden and Mr. Christian represent real individuals at any high school, and they were portrayed as absolutely normal people dealing with difficult situations as best as they saw fit. The one aspect of this book that puzzled me was the ending. Although I am a firm believer that not all good books require a neat and tidy ending that wraps up the entire story, I do think it’s important where warranted (i.e. where there is no sequel to close the loop on the story). As far as I know, Laurens never wrote a sequel to A Season of Eden ☹. If Jennifer Laurens reads my review…please, write the sequel…there is so much I want to know!

MY FAVORITE PASSAGE
“I want to play you…” He pressed his forehead to mine, closing his eyes. “I want to play your body like an instrument.” – Page 196

by Eva Márquez
www.SweetestTabooBook.com (less)

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Apr 08, 2013 Trisha rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: crazy-ya-challenge-4, love-triangle-challenge

"His sharp gaze still had me pinned. “And that’s what it all comes down to, doesn’t it? How close can we get to the edge?"

I read this for a challenge in one of my book clubs. I have huge reservations about teacher / student relationships. I mean, hey, I have two daughters - 1 is a teenager. So, it's tough. I cringe. Would i want this for my daughter??

Ugh. No and if I ever saw any of this crazy behavior in my daughter I would get her help.

Eden seems unstable. her stalking and psychotic behavior...more

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Apr 08, 2012 Zareen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle-books

I picked this book up on a whim, having snagged it for my Kindle when it was free. I didn't expect to become so enthralled in such a story, especially as seventeen-year-old reading about a relationship between a high school student and a teacher. However, I ended up truly appreciating the simplicity of A Season of Eden, especially considering the number of paranormal/supernatural novels I've been reading lately.

Both Eden and James Christian, though typical on the surface, are very complex charac...more

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May 19, 2010 Jessica rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is my first book by J.M. Warwick (AKA Jennifer Laurens) and I am completely smitten. If all her writing is this good, then consider me an avid fan!

A Season of Eden is such an aptly named book. We meet Eden, the gorgeous and popular girl in school. She has the hunk boyfriend, the loyal group of friends, and the admiration of all who gaze upon her. Eden is a girl who is used to getting exactly what she wants, and what she wants is the new choral teacher Mr. Christian.

When I found out that thi...more

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Dec 13, 2009 Princess Bookie rated it 5 of 5 stars

My Thoughts: I have been wanting to read this one for a while so when I finally did, I dove right in. We are introduced to Eden who is a popular girl who gets what she wants usually. She is dating Matt, who she has been seeing for a while now. She ends up in a class and there is a new teacher at the school. She instantly is drawn to him. His name is Mr. Christian. He is only 4 years older than Eden. They have an attraction and a secret relationship starts to form.We also meet all the side charac...more

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YA Golden Book Hunt: A Season of Eden: 4/8	37	9	May 11, 2013 09:42pm
First sentence	1	15	Dec 25, 2012 12:44am

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