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The Ivy Lessons
Librarian Note: Alternate Cover Edition for 9781480085916.
Teacher + Student = Romance forbidden.
When Sophia wins a post-graduate place at Ivy Drama College, she can't believe her luck. The college is owned by one of the most well-respected young actors in London, Marc Blackwell – who not only founded the college, but teaches the students.
Known for his strict classes and belief in discipline, Marc has a reputation for being arrogant and aloof, yet Sophia soon finds herself drawn to this cold, fascinating young man.
Soon, Sophia is embarking on a journey of sexual discovery that promises to explore all that is forbidden between teacher and student.
Teacher + Student = Romance forbidden.
When Sophia wins a post-graduate place at Ivy Drama College, she can't believe her luck. The college is owned by one of the most well-respected young actors in London, Marc Blackwell – who not only founded the college, but teaches the students.
Known for his strict classes and belief in discipline, Marc has a reputation for being arrogant and aloof, yet Sophia soon finds herself drawn to this cold, fascinating young man.
Soon, Sophia is embarking on a journey of sexual discovery that promises to explore all that is forbidden between teacher and student.
292 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 471 reviews
November 17, 2013
2 Spineless Chicks and Control-Freaks Stars
I don't like it and I really hate when it happens to me, but I couldn't finish this book...
So, let me rephrase my rating.
2 DNF, Spineless Chicks and Control-Freaks Stars
This is not a bad book. This is the reason, I didn't give it a 1-star rating. It just wasn't for me; overused theme, same old, I'm fed up with this stuff kinda book.
We all read Fifty Shades. I got to admit, that a lot of us kinda enjoyed Fifty Shades, too. You know why? Because it was something new and exciting and it gave us an excuse to release our inner-submissive and finally talk about what we read with mainstream, non-bookworm people.
My mom, my aunt, HELL, my niece read it! I know.... THE HORROR!
But two+ years have passed since Mr. Grey dominated our world, changing the way we think about fictional characters forever and now it got old.... Really old. After 300 books of Fifty clones, I'm done!
This book's storyline is exciting. About a world famous actor that opened an Academy, to teach acting to talented people and a girl that found the courage to finally chase her dreams. I wanted to like but it fell short...
Sophia, our heroine is a spineless wimp with the self awareness of a snail. She is a major pushover, a crybaby with no self respect. At least it seemed to me that way.... How on earth, am I expected to believe she is the most talented actor in the college?
And then there is Marc Blackwell. Don't get me wrong his character is very well written but he isn't likeable. At all. Moody, arrogant, control freak, messed up, inappropriate. Even my brainwashed-I-liked-Tony_of_the_Consequence_Series mind couldn't handle him. He even refused to "finish" (orgasm, you know...) in order to stay in control... TWICE!
It all got old pretty quickly and from some point on I just stopped caring.
I don't want to put anyone off this book. I was not just into the right mood for it. Maybe if we were back to 2011, I would be able to enjoy it...
As it is...
I don't like it and I really hate when it happens to me, but I couldn't finish this book...
So, let me rephrase my rating.
2 DNF, Spineless Chicks and Control-Freaks Stars
This is not a bad book. This is the reason, I didn't give it a 1-star rating. It just wasn't for me; overused theme, same old, I'm fed up with this stuff kinda book.
We all read Fifty Shades. I got to admit, that a lot of us kinda enjoyed Fifty Shades, too. You know why? Because it was something new and exciting and it gave us an excuse to release our inner-submissive and finally talk about what we read with mainstream, non-bookworm people.
My mom, my aunt, HELL, my niece read it! I know.... THE HORROR!
But two+ years have passed since Mr. Grey dominated our world, changing the way we think about fictional characters forever and now it got old.... Really old. After 300 books of Fifty clones, I'm done!
This book's storyline is exciting. About a world famous actor that opened an Academy, to teach acting to talented people and a girl that found the courage to finally chase her dreams. I wanted to like but it fell short...
Sophia, our heroine is a spineless wimp with the self awareness of a snail. She is a major pushover, a crybaby with no self respect. At least it seemed to me that way.... How on earth, am I expected to believe she is the most talented actor in the college?
And then there is Marc Blackwell. Don't get me wrong his character is very well written but he isn't likeable. At all. Moody, arrogant, control freak, messed up, inappropriate. Even my brainwashed-I-liked-Tony_of_the_Consequence_Series mind couldn't handle him. He even refused to "finish" (orgasm, you know...) in order to stay in control... TWICE!
It all got old pretty quickly and from some point on I just stopped caring.
I don't want to put anyone off this book. I was not just into the right mood for it. Maybe if we were back to 2011, I would be able to enjoy it...
As it is...
August 15, 2013
So Yeah..
My opinion of Sophia
Sophia during the book..
Oh.. Marc.. you looked at me
You want to spank me and do dirty things to me Sir?
So afterwards she is like
Sophia explaining the relationship to everyone
My opinion of Marc
Marc throughout the book
The relationship..
The anal sex scene
The practical insta love
The last 40 percent of the book..
I am sorry about my negativity but
Most of the time i was reading i felt my..
Would i recommend this book..
My opinion of Sophia
Sophia during the book..
Oh.. Marc.. you looked at me
You want to spank me and do dirty things to me Sir?
So afterwards she is like
Sophia explaining the relationship to everyone
My opinion of Marc
Marc throughout the book
The relationship..
The anal sex scene
The practical insta love
The last 40 percent of the book..
I am sorry about my negativity but
Most of the time i was reading i felt my..
Would i recommend this book..
January 23, 2013
Oh thank Jesus Buddha and any other religious figure this book is over!! Where to start with how stupid this book was, hmmmmmmm how about it took place in like two weeks and they fall in love in like the first three days. I know nothing about any of the characters. They are as shallow as a tea cup and Sophia. Oh how stupid Sophia is. First off I was praying she was going to die in some freaky sex act but that didn't happen strike one. She is told not to tell anyone because it will look bad for a student and teacher to get it on (apparently here in America we don't care about those things) well she tells everyone and their mama. Strike two. And strike three is she is just an idiot. Holy hellwisel she would not stop with oh I can't live without him. He is so much more blah blah blah. I wanted to stab myself in the eye with a spoon. This is how painful this book is. I have no idea what these people looked like at all. I pictured Blackwell as that guy from Harry Potter with the long black hair and long black cape. So to say I didn't find him attractive is an understatement. All in all this is one of the most terriblist books I've ever had to endure. The end was all want to read more about Sophia and Marc, my answer is a solid eff no! So so so so terrible. And it just added to my bad day. Stay clear of here. It honestly doesn't even deserve to be anywhere near Fifty. They need to take that off the summary cuz this book is too horrible to be anywhere near my man!!
December 28, 2012
It was interesting read, but it wasn't what I expected. I expected a little more than I got. The first few chapters reminded me a little of Gabriel's Inferno. I thought that the book is going to be about the teacher seducing his student, but it was the other way around. And she had absolutely no game and no plan, just "he frightens me, but I want him and i dont know what to do about it." I was expecting him to struggle a little bit more, expected him to be more conflicted, because there was a lot at stake.
The transitions between the scenes should have been smoother. When they went from calling each Mr and Miss to the first name basis, it felt rushed. I felt like there were some things that could have been said and done, before crossing that line.
They had a deal that they will keep it hush hush, but both he and her were confessing about it to other people. She wasn't being very subtle about it at all. I understand her wanting to tell about it to her friend, to get it off of her chest. But to confess about it to her teacher, his colleague? And to top it all of, teacher, instead of telling her to knock it off, was telling her what a great guy he was.
With that being said, I liked him. Even though his morals were a bit shaky, his background explained a lot. I didn't blamed him for not knowing right from wrong. And the things he was into were a little weird, but who am I to judge. It's not my thing, but what ever makes you happy Mr Blackwell :). At least I can give a credit for being different.
The ending was also a bit rushed, things happened way to fast towards the end, in my opinion. The story was interesting, but it didn't leave me wanting more. Interesting concept, but execution could have been better.
The transitions between the scenes should have been smoother. When they went from calling each Mr and Miss to the first name basis, it felt rushed. I felt like there were some things that could have been said and done, before crossing that line.
They had a deal that they will keep it hush hush, but both he and her were confessing about it to other people. She wasn't being very subtle about it at all. I understand her wanting to tell about it to her friend, to get it off of her chest. But to confess about it to her teacher, his colleague? And to top it all of, teacher, instead of telling her to knock it off, was telling her what a great guy he was.
With that being said, I liked him. Even though his morals were a bit shaky, his background explained a lot. I didn't blamed him for not knowing right from wrong. And the things he was into were a little weird, but who am I to judge. It's not my thing, but what ever makes you happy Mr Blackwell :). At least I can give a credit for being different.
The ending was also a bit rushed, things happened way to fast towards the end, in my opinion. The story was interesting, but it didn't leave me wanting more. Interesting concept, but execution could have been better.
January 14, 2013
Not only is this book NOT comparable to the story spun in fifty shades or bared to you, it is almost unbearable to read. The characters are not strong, there are errors, things like times are off in the story, the word wine is win (annoying) What is driving me mad is that the supporting characters who work for the teacher are awful free to offer their opinion to this 22 year old girl that they know is having an inappropriate relationship with her teacher, who happens to be the worlds hottest actor. This is no Christian, or Gideon and quite frankly I am not interested in the sequel unless the author can build a real story.This felt too much like if I take Christian and make him an actor instead of a business man, then I take the bad childhood and twist it to something different, then take a young girl and they have kinky sex, I can sell books. You still have to be able to weave a semi plausible interesting story. The main character in this book wins a full scholarship to an acclaimed mysterious school of acting and isnt smart enough by the 28th chapter to have read her paperwork and is constantly relying on her mates to tell her what is going on etc.
August 11, 2019
It had the potential to be a great book but I really didn't feel a connection with nothing.
There is no character or story development. I wasted my time reading it.
I think the author could've done a better job building up the romance. I don't know if I'll be picking up the second book in this series.
There is no character or story development. I wasted my time reading it.
I think the author could've done a better job building up the romance. I don't know if I'll be picking up the second book in this series.
November 5, 2012
So...I dont know really what to write...this was no 50 shades of Grey...and not Bared to you...this was just something...else...
I was shaking my head half of the time...it started really promising but ..not really...
Marc it's nothing like Christian...yeah..he can be cold at times..but thats all..there is nothing attractive about him...
Sophie...if you didn't like Anastasia, you would hate Sophie..She was repeating ''I dont know'' all the time..she had cinderella complex. Her stepmother incapable of taking care of her own husband and child. And I wont talk about hers low selfestem..
It was supposed to be a forbidden affair/love, but Sophie doesn't have word secret in her vocabulary. She told she is f***** the profesor to someone who she known for two days for Christ sake.
And then we have ''the coke'' incident, where some boy loves her that much that he drugs her..and then he hates her because he cant have her..talk about ridiculus.
So no..I didnt enjoyed while reading this and I finished it just because it was so funny I coudn't stop.
I was shaking my head half of the time...it started really promising but ..not really...
Marc it's nothing like Christian...yeah..he can be cold at times..but thats all..there is nothing attractive about him...
Sophie...if you didn't like Anastasia, you would hate Sophie..She was repeating ''I dont know'' all the time..she had cinderella complex. Her stepmother incapable of taking care of her own husband and child. And I wont talk about hers low selfestem..
It was supposed to be a forbidden affair/love, but Sophie doesn't have word secret in her vocabulary. She told she is f***** the profesor to someone who she known for two days for Christ sake.
And then we have ''the coke'' incident, where some boy loves her that much that he drugs her..and then he hates her because he cant have her..talk about ridiculus.
So no..I didnt enjoyed while reading this and I finished it just because it was so funny I coudn't stop.
November 13, 2012
YAY!!! ANOTHER TEACHER-STUDENT ROMANCE! ME GUSTA! ;)
REVIEW TO FOLLOW
REVIEW TO FOLLOW
January 30, 2016
2 " It saddens me to say I didn't like it" Stars
Urgh. I wish I had liked it. So much. Unfortunately, it just didn't do it for me. The sad part is, I normally LOVE teacher/student romance, whether they're sexy or not. They're my FAVORITES. Damn it. But this one... nope. Just didn't do it.
This book is about Sophia, an inspiring actress, who, on complete impulse, decides to audition at one of the most prestigious theatre school in the UK. The school is owned by none other than the very sexy, very rich, and not surprisingly very famous actor, Marc Blackwell. As she auditions, Sophia realizes that the tabloids were true about Mr. Blackwell, he's arrogant, and Oh, so very, very cold. But she just can't shake him out of her mind. Now, what if under all his superior air, Mr. Blackwell wanted her just as much as she seems to want him...
Interesting, right? Well, for someone who's completely in love with anything forbidden when it comes to stories, I was certainly hooked when hearing about this story. The problem is, once I started reading it, it wasn't all that great.
Firstly, the writing style was what I would call "pretty simple", it wasn't particularly interesting. It didn't grab my attention nor did it make me want to keep reading. I normally don't like books that are too well written either, because it takes away my fun, but this book was too simply written. At least simple enough for it to bother me, which if I'm being honest, doesn't happen all that often. I feel like saying her writing style is bland can be pretty harsh, but it’s the only word that explains how I feel towards is, so, bland it is. It just didn’t stand out.
And the story, unfortunately, went from 0 to 100 in 5 seconds. I say "unfortunately" because the ideas were actually great, interesting and I certainly wanted to know more. I just feel like they were exploited too fast. What I love in teacher/student stories is the anticipation, the feeling of doing something forbidden, etc. I feel like the characters in this story SAID that what they were doing was forbidden, but as the reader, I didn't feel the forbidden aspect of it. Neither did I feel the anticipation. I mean, Marc is literally SUPER cold and doesn't seem interested in Sophia in the slightest, and then out of NOWHERE he's like " I want you so much, but I can't, the things I would love to do to you, etc..." I was like WHAT!? You didn't even have a CONVERSATION with the girl and you want her so much you'd be ready to leave your position in the school for her? What the hell?! Where did that come from?
Anyway, it was said that "fans of fifty shades and bared to you" would love this book, and I guess that's SORT OF true. Not completely, but I guess, yeah Marc is into kinky stuff and control, so for that it does resemble fifty shades. Kind of.
I don't know, there are so many things that I normally love about teacher/student that I didn't find in this book, and so when you take all of that away, there's pretty much nothing left. Unfortunately.
I will read other books from S.K. Quinn, I just hope her writing won't bother me as much. However, hear this S.K. Quinn, you have great ideas, keep them coming, just make sure things don’t escalate too fast!
Urgh. I wish I had liked it. So much. Unfortunately, it just didn't do it for me. The sad part is, I normally LOVE teacher/student romance, whether they're sexy or not. They're my FAVORITES. Damn it. But this one... nope. Just didn't do it.
This book is about Sophia, an inspiring actress, who, on complete impulse, decides to audition at one of the most prestigious theatre school in the UK. The school is owned by none other than the very sexy, very rich, and not surprisingly very famous actor, Marc Blackwell. As she auditions, Sophia realizes that the tabloids were true about Mr. Blackwell, he's arrogant, and Oh, so very, very cold. But she just can't shake him out of her mind. Now, what if under all his superior air, Mr. Blackwell wanted her just as much as she seems to want him...
Interesting, right? Well, for someone who's completely in love with anything forbidden when it comes to stories, I was certainly hooked when hearing about this story. The problem is, once I started reading it, it wasn't all that great.
Firstly, the writing style was what I would call "pretty simple", it wasn't particularly interesting. It didn't grab my attention nor did it make me want to keep reading. I normally don't like books that are too well written either, because it takes away my fun, but this book was too simply written. At least simple enough for it to bother me, which if I'm being honest, doesn't happen all that often. I feel like saying her writing style is bland can be pretty harsh, but it’s the only word that explains how I feel towards is, so, bland it is. It just didn’t stand out.
And the story, unfortunately, went from 0 to 100 in 5 seconds. I say "unfortunately" because the ideas were actually great, interesting and I certainly wanted to know more. I just feel like they were exploited too fast. What I love in teacher/student stories is the anticipation, the feeling of doing something forbidden, etc. I feel like the characters in this story SAID that what they were doing was forbidden, but as the reader, I didn't feel the forbidden aspect of it. Neither did I feel the anticipation. I mean, Marc is literally SUPER cold and doesn't seem interested in Sophia in the slightest, and then out of NOWHERE he's like " I want you so much, but I can't, the things I would love to do to you, etc..." I was like WHAT!? You didn't even have a CONVERSATION with the girl and you want her so much you'd be ready to leave your position in the school for her? What the hell?! Where did that come from?
Anyway, it was said that "fans of fifty shades and bared to you" would love this book, and I guess that's SORT OF true. Not completely, but I guess, yeah Marc is into kinky stuff and control, so for that it does resemble fifty shades. Kind of.
I don't know, there are so many things that I normally love about teacher/student that I didn't find in this book, and so when you take all of that away, there's pretty much nothing left. Unfortunately.
I will read other books from S.K. Quinn, I just hope her writing won't bother me as much. However, hear this S.K. Quinn, you have great ideas, keep them coming, just make sure things don’t escalate too fast!
November 24, 2012
The writing was annoying. The tone changed, as if two different people were writing it, and they were both sucky writers. I did this, I did that, I said this. Didn't we all get chastised about that in english class. Anyway, on to the plot,
Another weak, vulnerable, virginal, thin brunette with no sense and no spine. I am so tired of this. Why would a guy find a woman who has never watched porn attractive? I don't get it. I get the ideal. But in real life, virgins are boring. The main character, was a boring push over. I felt like she kept contradicting herself. Not in a 'no means yes' kind of way, but in a 'my other personality's name is...' kind of way.
The main dude, was not attractive. He kept annoyingly asking her if she trusts him, and telling her she liked stuff, eww, over and over again. If you need that much reassurance, you probably shouldn't be doing what you're doing. The scenes were awkward and not realistic.
This book was a waste of my time. I wish people would stop writing about these weak brunettes, and please stop comparing them to Eva in 'Bared to You'.
Another weak, vulnerable, virginal, thin brunette with no sense and no spine. I am so tired of this. Why would a guy find a woman who has never watched porn attractive? I don't get it. I get the ideal. But in real life, virgins are boring. The main character, was a boring push over. I felt like she kept contradicting herself. Not in a 'no means yes' kind of way, but in a 'my other personality's name is...' kind of way.
The main dude, was not attractive. He kept annoyingly asking her if she trusts him, and telling her she liked stuff, eww, over and over again. If you need that much reassurance, you probably shouldn't be doing what you're doing. The scenes were awkward and not realistic.
This book was a waste of my time. I wish people would stop writing about these weak brunettes, and please stop comparing them to Eva in 'Bared to You'.
November 15, 2012
One word book review: Great
My casting for Marc and Sophia...
My casting for Marc and Sophia...
November 26, 2012
This book started off Strong but fizzled fast. It's your Teacher/Student taboo relationship however there wasn't much of a fight to stay apart. Sophia falls in love way to quickly & the sex scenes were over before I even knew they were happening. This is suppose to be a relationship that is under wraps but Sophia keeps telling everyone about it. I find it endearing that Marc would give up his teaching after their first kiss to be with her. I find a lack of connect with the characters. It was a struggle to get thru the book but I'm not a quitter so I did finish it.
Quotes:
"Because I can't have you. And wanting something you can't have can be a very difficult thing to handle. Especially if you're used to getting whatever you want and whoever you want."
" 'I Love you', says Marc simply, staring at the ocean. 'But this isn't a movie. I don't know how this will end.'"
Read more reviews on my blog iloveladyporn.com
Quotes:
"Because I can't have you. And wanting something you can't have can be a very difficult thing to handle. Especially if you're used to getting whatever you want and whoever you want."
" 'I Love you', says Marc simply, staring at the ocean. 'But this isn't a movie. I don't know how this will end.'"
Read more reviews on my blog iloveladyporn.com
October 25, 2012
This book sure does have the fifty shades BDSM scenes, and the crossfire novels hot and steamy plots. It had me wiggling at the edge of my seat and had me holding my breathe constantly. I really enjoyed reading the book, but I feel that Sophia is a bit too whinny and nagging. She would have been more well liked if she was a stronger character.
Next book would be interesting, Marc and Sophia are about to broadcast their relationship to the world. The teacher/student relationship will be questioned and criticisms will be thrown at the pair. Would be interesting to read on definitely.
Next book would be interesting, Marc and Sophia are about to broadcast their relationship to the world. The teacher/student relationship will be questioned and criticisms will be thrown at the pair. Would be interesting to read on definitely.
April 15, 2013
Good book....interesting story...steamy sex
August 28, 2016
It was a good read and got my forbidden romance fix with this one :D >>>review to come<<<
April 29, 2013
Warning, this review might contain spoiler!
I am lost. Completely and utterly lost. This book had so much potential when I read the synopsis. I'm sold on forbidden romances as student/teacher and so on. This book seemed so promising because the add of a famous teacher. Despite that, the book isn't good. It's promising and has potential. That's all it has.
So the plot is Sophie the heroine, who's name I forgot all the time, who is accepted to Ivy College. The college is funded by an Hollywood actor, Marc Blackwell. It's the best of the best who are accepted to this college when it teaches acting and drama. You see the plot, it's about Sophie who crushes on Marc Blackwell, who teaches at Ivy College. That's the plot. There is nothing more to it. And I mean NOTHING.
My problems with Sophie is a long list and I won't put them all up here. First, she's another Bella. And yes, we all blame Meyer for these characters. She is naïve and plain. But, of course everyone wants her anyway because she is such a good actress. I might buy this, but we never see her act. Not for real. And as Marc points out at one point, she always plays "nicey, nicey" roles where the girl is naïve and young. My question is then, because Sophie always is "nicey, nicey" and naïve, does it really count as acting? And, like most heroines written this and last year has body complexes bigger than the Empire State Building.
And yes she is very naïve. Already in the first chapters we see this. She is going to the college for an audition and when she can't find it, a manly stranger is offering to help her find it. This is in London I want to point out. I did a quick counting on the crimes committed in London last year and on average, there are 69 crimes a day in London. So as a young woman, I would never take the chance to trust a strange man in a town I don't live and know much about, just saying.
Then we have Marc Blackwell. He's the famous actor and oh, get this, he's one more possessive, dominating hero! Surprised? Nah, me neither. He's cold arrogant and is a tough teacher. I never get a good explanation to why he's this way. Perhaps in the next book in the series we get to know him better. However, we're told Marc is extremely private in his life and no one knows much about him. Except everyone does. Sophie's best friend gets stuff on him for research. And one of Marc's friends is quick to tell Sophie his life story. What kind of friend does this? Not a good one that is.
So the characters are boring and don't interested me at all. But they get it on anyway. But the sex scenes are boring and not hot at all. I've read better books in this genre so maybe it's just me. I don't feel the desire and definitely not love. And there are times when Sophie says no but he keeps on going But when he begins to touch her she's lost to sensation so it's okay. No, not really but here it is.
And the story is so rushed I can't even begin on it!
And when they begin their forbidden relationship, Sophie is telling people about it. People she barely knows and can't trust. Of course, none of them is against the thing either. Honestly, they should've. That or told someone. Because the movie/theatre industry is competitive. It's everyone for themselves. Someone should've spilled the beans on them. No, instead everyone is cool and the book ends with Sophie and Marc deciding to go public with their relationship before they're even close to getting caught.
No, this book wasn't my cup of tea at all. It could've been so much better and I honestly don't see what the next books will be about. I might read them but it's highly unlikely. Since I didn't see the love or even desire, I got bored and I don't see things changing in the next book.
But, the book is a quick read and I can see the allure and why other people can find it good and interesting. I just didn't I've read better stories like this one and I felt them to be better.
1/5 stars
I am lost. Completely and utterly lost. This book had so much potential when I read the synopsis. I'm sold on forbidden romances as student/teacher and so on. This book seemed so promising because the add of a famous teacher. Despite that, the book isn't good. It's promising and has potential. That's all it has.
So the plot is Sophie the heroine, who's name I forgot all the time, who is accepted to Ivy College. The college is funded by an Hollywood actor, Marc Blackwell. It's the best of the best who are accepted to this college when it teaches acting and drama. You see the plot, it's about Sophie who crushes on Marc Blackwell, who teaches at Ivy College. That's the plot. There is nothing more to it. And I mean NOTHING.
My problems with Sophie is a long list and I won't put them all up here. First, she's another Bella. And yes, we all blame Meyer for these characters. She is naïve and plain. But, of course everyone wants her anyway because she is such a good actress. I might buy this, but we never see her act. Not for real. And as Marc points out at one point, she always plays "nicey, nicey" roles where the girl is naïve and young. My question is then, because Sophie always is "nicey, nicey" and naïve, does it really count as acting? And, like most heroines written this and last year has body complexes bigger than the Empire State Building.
And yes she is very naïve. Already in the first chapters we see this. She is going to the college for an audition and when she can't find it, a manly stranger is offering to help her find it. This is in London I want to point out. I did a quick counting on the crimes committed in London last year and on average, there are 69 crimes a day in London. So as a young woman, I would never take the chance to trust a strange man in a town I don't live and know much about, just saying.
Then we have Marc Blackwell. He's the famous actor and oh, get this, he's one more possessive, dominating hero! Surprised? Nah, me neither. He's cold arrogant and is a tough teacher. I never get a good explanation to why he's this way. Perhaps in the next book in the series we get to know him better. However, we're told Marc is extremely private in his life and no one knows much about him. Except everyone does. Sophie's best friend gets stuff on him for research. And one of Marc's friends is quick to tell Sophie his life story. What kind of friend does this? Not a good one that is.
So the characters are boring and don't interested me at all. But they get it on anyway. But the sex scenes are boring and not hot at all. I've read better books in this genre so maybe it's just me. I don't feel the desire and definitely not love. And there are times when Sophie says no but he keeps on going But when he begins to touch her she's lost to sensation so it's okay. No, not really but here it is.
And the story is so rushed I can't even begin on it!
And when they begin their forbidden relationship, Sophie is telling people about it. People she barely knows and can't trust. Of course, none of them is against the thing either. Honestly, they should've. That or told someone. Because the movie/theatre industry is competitive. It's everyone for themselves. Someone should've spilled the beans on them. No, instead everyone is cool and the book ends with Sophie and Marc deciding to go public with their relationship before they're even close to getting caught.
No, this book wasn't my cup of tea at all. It could've been so much better and I honestly don't see what the next books will be about. I might read them but it's highly unlikely. Since I didn't see the love or even desire, I got bored and I don't see things changing in the next book.
But, the book is a quick read and I can see the allure and why other people can find it good and interesting. I just didn't I've read better stories like this one and I felt them to be better.
1/5 stars
July 31, 2013
I loved it
BUT
the following should have been done to the editor of the book (if there even was one)
but all grammatical and timing mistakes aside - I really enjoyed the book -
don't know why the reviews are mostly bad??
The only thing getting on my nerves is the whole student - teacher thing???
Why do they have such a huge problem with that?? She's 22 - he's 27 and he OWNS the school - nobody in the world can legally say anything against it??
That whole part was totally exaggerated!!!
I loved Marc and Sophia - yeah - sometimes she's horribly naive - but pfff - that's just how the character was written ☺
I can't wait to read book 2 + 3
it's a book for fans of everything from Fifty Shades to Eighty days!!!
November 21, 2012
2.5 ⭐. This was just ok for me. Not a horrible book but definitely should not be compared to Fifty Shades. The author didn't build the characters enough for me to connect to them. They just jumped into the Dom/Sub relationship. There really was no explanation why Marc couldn't open up to Sophia or why he kept his feelings hidden. I though that the "never letting himself loose control/find release" was just strange and unbelievable.
I'm glad it was a free read. I would be upset if I had bought the book and invested much into it. This is not to say that I thought it was bad. I think it could be re-written with more character depth and the chemistry would probably be there for the H/H. I think it definitely has some potential as does this author.
I'm glad it was a free read. I would be upset if I had bought the book and invested much into it. This is not to say that I thought it was bad. I think it could be re-written with more character depth and the chemistry would probably be there for the H/H. I think it definitely has some potential as does this author.
August 20, 2016
Okay, i don't really know what i think about this book. I kind of expected more from this! The story lacked in the main department and even though it captivated me in some parts, the most was missing something. It was not authentic and the story was mainly superficial. It lacked depth! Marc and Sophia were not that great of a couple. Sophia ... really, she was way to naive and clingy. Also the over-the-top jealousy ... yes, he had other women before you! Get over it!
And also the aspect that no one got suspicious when Marc and Sophia disappeared from class all the time. That's just weird. In total the book was okay but not great. I think i am going to wait a while to read the next one! The book was a bigger letdown than expected.
2,5/5 stars
And also the aspect that no one got suspicious when Marc and Sophia disappeared from class all the time. That's just weird. In total the book was okay but not great. I think i am going to wait a while to read the next one! The book was a bigger letdown than expected.
2,5/5 stars
February 6, 2017
2 stars....why the low rating you may ask....well it goes something like this....the story was not as captivating as i was thinking at first, the age difference is not that big , if it was more then 10 years i would have understood the whole i am too old for you, but here is not the case. The hero ,i get it,is a big star, but sometimes he was a confusing character to me, not to mention the heroine, she is described as a young talented actress and a strong character, but as the story progresses these traits get somehow lost in the story.
Some sides characters were really interesting.
But overall that is about it.
Now i will dive into book 2....let's hope for the best.
See ya all later...byee
Some sides characters were really interesting.
But overall that is about it.
Now i will dive into book 2....let's hope for the best.
See ya all later...byee
kts
December 25, 2018Free on Amazon today!
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September 25, 2015
In the end this just became too obsurd for me. I enjoyed the beginning when she was just starting at college but then it all became far fetched and seemed to jump from one weird scene to another. The scene in the supply closet though was hot... but other than that Marc just creeped me out. May add more later...
My review can also be found on our blog Paein and Ms4Tune
This was free on Amazon
I really should have paid more attention to the cover with the sticker that says The new bestseller for fifty shades of grey fans... but I was distracted by the Teacher + Student = Passion Forbidden.
It started off ok with Sophia getting a letter accepting her to a prestigious drama college in London. She's excited because one of her teachers will be a famous actor call Marc Blackwell. Sophia's home life was interesting, she had a hopeless father who was lovely but couldn't look after himself let alone his self-centered second wife and their new baby (Sophia's half-brother), Sophia was a nice character, unsure of herself and only wanting to do what was best for her family. It took a lot of coercion to get her to leave them behind and go and for fill her dreams. I also quite enjoyed her arrival at the college and getting to know the other students. But it was from this point on that it kind of went down hill.
There is hardly any chemistry between Sophia and Marc. She seems to be desperate for any kind of attention and so ends up asking for his help with her acting. Marc gives her a seductive role to improvise with and ends up kissing her. You're meant to feel that he is the one being manipulated into this love affair but to me it felt more like he was some kind of scummy teacher who got his kicks out of doing something... or anything to be honest... that he shouldn't. He takes control of everything and makes Sophia do quite a lot of things she feels uncomfortable doing because he is helping her to 'Stretch her boundaries and loss some of her inhibitions' apparently and this will somehow help her to be a better actress. The fact that as soon as anything happened between them her future career would have been tainted never seems to occur to them.
I didn't like the other teacher Denise either! Who encourages a romance between a teacher and a student? She seems to get some kind of kick out of asking inappropriate questions of Sophia about her relationship with Marc, whilst having her in her office for tea. it's weird and kinda creepy.
The only redeeming part of the book was the sex scene in the stationery cupboard. That was hot, but many of the other scenes I felt were tainted by the dirty older man vibe I got. They were generally in open, or viewable areas, where I felt Marc got off on the thought of them being caught more than actually enjoying a connection with Sophia. This is also why I found the declaration of Love so ridiculous and irritating.
This series is not for me and I won't be continuing with it.
My review can also be found on our blog Paein and Ms4Tune
This was free on Amazon
I really should have paid more attention to the cover with the sticker that says The new bestseller for fifty shades of grey fans... but I was distracted by the Teacher + Student = Passion Forbidden.
It started off ok with Sophia getting a letter accepting her to a prestigious drama college in London. She's excited because one of her teachers will be a famous actor call Marc Blackwell. Sophia's home life was interesting, she had a hopeless father who was lovely but couldn't look after himself let alone his self-centered second wife and their new baby (Sophia's half-brother), Sophia was a nice character, unsure of herself and only wanting to do what was best for her family. It took a lot of coercion to get her to leave them behind and go and for fill her dreams. I also quite enjoyed her arrival at the college and getting to know the other students. But it was from this point on that it kind of went down hill.
There is hardly any chemistry between Sophia and Marc. She seems to be desperate for any kind of attention and so ends up asking for his help with her acting. Marc gives her a seductive role to improvise with and ends up kissing her. You're meant to feel that he is the one being manipulated into this love affair but to me it felt more like he was some kind of scummy teacher who got his kicks out of doing something... or anything to be honest... that he shouldn't. He takes control of everything and makes Sophia do quite a lot of things she feels uncomfortable doing because he is helping her to 'Stretch her boundaries and loss some of her inhibitions' apparently and this will somehow help her to be a better actress. The fact that as soon as anything happened between them her future career would have been tainted never seems to occur to them.
I didn't like the other teacher Denise either! Who encourages a romance between a teacher and a student? She seems to get some kind of kick out of asking inappropriate questions of Sophia about her relationship with Marc, whilst having her in her office for tea. it's weird and kinda creepy.
The only redeeming part of the book was the sex scene in the stationery cupboard. That was hot, but many of the other scenes I felt were tainted by the dirty older man vibe I got. They were generally in open, or viewable areas, where I felt Marc got off on the thought of them being caught more than actually enjoying a connection with Sophia. This is also why I found the declaration of Love so ridiculous and irritating.
This series is not for me and I won't be continuing with it.
June 13, 2013
I like books that involve adult teacher/student adult relationships.
Of course this deals with a hot (movie star) teacher who also happens to own the Ivy Drama College and he of course becomes attracted to the innocent girl who also happens to be his student. Love these stories.
Sophie gets a scholarship to the Ivy Drama College. She is a good girl who never complains about her life even though her father knocked up his girlfriend and more or less is expecting her to take care of the house. Sophie comes home every weekend to clean her father’s house as well as take care of her brother. My god, I wanted to knock some sense into that father. It got on my nerves how she was taken advantage of.
Sophie is a very likeable character. I love how in one scene she asked Marc’s driver if she could ride in front with him.
I initially was nervous that Marc, like Sophie’s family, would be taking advantage of her. It is not that Sophie is gullible. I think Sophie just has a huge heart and is loving and kind. However at the half way point of the book, you start to see a different Marc. The Marc I began to like.
‘“You know full well I can’t have you.” He takes a deep breath and lets it all out. “I’m your teacher. And you’re my pupil.” I feel like his stare burning stare burning holes in me.
Did I feel connected to the characters? Yes
“What you want from me, I can never give you.”
Pace of Story: Started out a bit slow for me, but got good at 75%.
Positives: I liked the story. I started loving it at 75%, could not put it down. I can’t wait to learn more about Marc in the sequel.
“Oh, Sophie, how wrong you are,” says Marc. “It’s me who’ll get hurt. I’ve known that all along.”
Negatives: Some things in the beginning of the story I was like “what?” I understand Sophie getting a scholarship, but some perks to that scholarship were over the top, but on the other hand I think Marc did not want Sophie to have any reason to say no to attending Ivy.
Do I recommend? Yes
“I’ve never lost control like this,” he murmurs. “Never.”
Bottom line: In the end, I was glad I read it. I have had it in my Kindle since November and finally got around to reading it. I can’t wait to read the sequel.
Of course this deals with a hot (movie star) teacher who also happens to own the Ivy Drama College and he of course becomes attracted to the innocent girl who also happens to be his student. Love these stories.
Sophie gets a scholarship to the Ivy Drama College. She is a good girl who never complains about her life even though her father knocked up his girlfriend and more or less is expecting her to take care of the house. Sophie comes home every weekend to clean her father’s house as well as take care of her brother. My god, I wanted to knock some sense into that father. It got on my nerves how she was taken advantage of.
Sophie is a very likeable character. I love how in one scene she asked Marc’s driver if she could ride in front with him.
I initially was nervous that Marc, like Sophie’s family, would be taking advantage of her. It is not that Sophie is gullible. I think Sophie just has a huge heart and is loving and kind. However at the half way point of the book, you start to see a different Marc. The Marc I began to like.
‘“You know full well I can’t have you.” He takes a deep breath and lets it all out. “I’m your teacher. And you’re my pupil.” I feel like his stare burning stare burning holes in me.
Did I feel connected to the characters? Yes
“What you want from me, I can never give you.”
Pace of Story: Started out a bit slow for me, but got good at 75%.
Positives: I liked the story. I started loving it at 75%, could not put it down. I can’t wait to learn more about Marc in the sequel.
“Oh, Sophie, how wrong you are,” says Marc. “It’s me who’ll get hurt. I’ve known that all along.”
Negatives: Some things in the beginning of the story I was like “what?” I understand Sophie getting a scholarship, but some perks to that scholarship were over the top, but on the other hand I think Marc did not want Sophie to have any reason to say no to attending Ivy.
Do I recommend? Yes
“I’ve never lost control like this,” he murmurs. “Never.”
Bottom line: In the end, I was glad I read it. I have had it in my Kindle since November and finally got around to reading it. I can’t wait to read the sequel.
September 23, 2016
This one was sort of so-so for me. I liked it but then I didn't like it.
July 11, 2016
This one did not work for me at all. I think this is because I really did not like Sophia. Ok I know this type of book is meant to have the shy, submissive heroine, but do they also have to also be naïve, indecisive, and annoying? Sophia is way too shy and comes across way too vulnerable, without a good enough explanation as to why she is this way. Sophia is incapable of making a decision, always saying "I don't know". I kind of thought this might have changed towards the end, but no, still unsure of everything. Sophia has zero confidence with nearly everything, and it was over the top for someone who wants to be an actor. She lets everybody walk all over her, to the point that I wanted to slap her (oh, I think she would have let me and then not complained).
As for the Hero, Marc, not sure what to make of him, I am neither here nor there. He did have potential, he was both aware of what he wanted and who he was, but also broken in a way, and therefore needed someone to make him whole. Therefore he had potential. What I found odd about him was how he could also be quite indecisive given that he was meant to be the dominant.
I thought there was going to be this great chemistry between Sophia and Marc, but I did not feel it. I could not get involved with them, because it felt like I was being told what they were feeling rather than feeling it myself. There was not great build up or tension for me, it felt forced and unnatural. Reading parts of this felt like watching wooden actors, it just did not seem natural or real. And as for the sex scenes, well, honestly, they didn't work for me either. They felt forced and also rushed. They just did not flow for me. This type of sex scene has been done soooooo much better in other books.
I got this book for free, (thankfully), it is one of a series, I will not be reading the next one, even if it was free too.
Will I read it again? No
As for the Hero, Marc, not sure what to make of him, I am neither here nor there. He did have potential, he was both aware of what he wanted and who he was, but also broken in a way, and therefore needed someone to make him whole. Therefore he had potential. What I found odd about him was how he could also be quite indecisive given that he was meant to be the dominant.
I thought there was going to be this great chemistry between Sophia and Marc, but I did not feel it. I could not get involved with them, because it felt like I was being told what they were feeling rather than feeling it myself. There was not great build up or tension for me, it felt forced and unnatural. Reading parts of this felt like watching wooden actors, it just did not seem natural or real. And as for the sex scenes, well, honestly, they didn't work for me either. They felt forced and also rushed. They just did not flow for me. This type of sex scene has been done soooooo much better in other books.
I got this book for free, (thankfully), it is one of a series, I will not be reading the next one, even if it was free too.
Will I read it again? No
July 19, 2014
I was roaming the electronic book shelves of Amazon and came across this title. I was Interested, then the first line of the summary of the book read:
If you loved books like Fifty Shades of Grey (E.L. James), Bared to You (Sylvia Day) or Beautiful Disaster (Jamie McGuire you'll love The Ivy Lessons ...
And I thought, oh no - here we go again. But I was pleasantly surprised. I sat and read the whole thing in a few hours and now I can't seem to get Van Halen's Hot For Teacher out of my head. Marc opened up far faster than I expected him to, especially given how closed off he seemed to be. But I am not complaining. I don't like endings that leave you hanging waiting for part two.
Sophia is an innocent girl who reminded me a lot of Ana from FSOG - she is unsure of her looks and her abilities on stage. But from her first encounter with bad boy Marc you know where this will go. He is instantly taken with her. Her need to find light in the darkest of places draws him near. Thinking his darkness has blacked out any light he could have.
The story is hot - the sex and the sexual tension is hot. I was a bit put off by the slang/terms used - but you get used to some of the terms easily and seem to figure out what most things are. I am not sold on the term 'cabinet' though - I kept imagining her tied up in something that resembles a kitchen cabinet - not a closet/storage room.
I can't wait to see how this story unfolds in part 2.
If you loved books like Fifty Shades of Grey (E.L. James), Bared to You (Sylvia Day) or Beautiful Disaster (Jamie McGuire you'll love The Ivy Lessons ...
And I thought, oh no - here we go again. But I was pleasantly surprised. I sat and read the whole thing in a few hours and now I can't seem to get Van Halen's Hot For Teacher out of my head. Marc opened up far faster than I expected him to, especially given how closed off he seemed to be. But I am not complaining. I don't like endings that leave you hanging waiting for part two.
Sophia is an innocent girl who reminded me a lot of Ana from FSOG - she is unsure of her looks and her abilities on stage. But from her first encounter with bad boy Marc you know where this will go. He is instantly taken with her. Her need to find light in the darkest of places draws him near. Thinking his darkness has blacked out any light he could have.
The story is hot - the sex and the sexual tension is hot. I was a bit put off by the slang/terms used - but you get used to some of the terms easily and seem to figure out what most things are. I am not sold on the term 'cabinet' though - I kept imagining her tied up in something that resembles a kitchen cabinet - not a closet/storage room.
I can't wait to see how this story unfolds in part 2.
January 22, 2013
I really enjoyed this one. Sophia is accepted into an undergraduate school for acting. Owned by actor Marc Blackwell.Sophia perused Marc but not in a weird I got to bang my teacher kinda way. This one was tricky for me to rate. At times I was scratching my head wondering what Marc was thinking. I dropped a star due to the weird and somewhat creepy moment when Sophia is laying in the hospital. Also kinda weird was that Marc refused to come. All about control people or at least that's what he insists. I mean he must have been hurting through this whole book. It took until 99% before he let go with Sophia. Which made that moment sweet and me saying FINALLY!!
Marc is very creative and enjoys pushing Sophia to be her real self and to let go (yeah hes one to talk right?) .Lets just say that he used more than himself and toys. Sophia was sweet and at times almost too sweet. I mean after what a certain someone did to you, you would think to press charges or something but not Soph no she sees the light in others darkness. Her saying not mine. Overall I really enjoyed this book and want the next one since it ended the way it did.
Marc is very creative and enjoys pushing Sophia to be her real self and to let go (yeah hes one to talk right?) .Lets just say that he used more than himself and toys. Sophia was sweet and at times almost too sweet. I mean after what a certain someone did to you, you would think to press charges or something but not Soph no she sees the light in others darkness. Her saying not mine. Overall I really enjoyed this book and want the next one since it ended the way it did.
July 13, 2013
So many problems.
There were a couple times where reading this felt more like a date rape transcript with paddles and rope than BDSM. Just seriously red flag stuff, and I wish someone would have told the author "this (insert several phrases, actions, and misconduct) does not constitute Safe Sane And Consensual."
The main male character is creepy, and the female main character has that all too common "willowy young woman with the sainted disposition" syndrome that just blights this genre, but exacerbated to a degree that you wonder if woodland animals are actually going to gather around her feet and burst into song.
Apparently this is Book #1 in I don't know how many but I don't care because I will not be purchasing any more of them.
I'd not often recommend 50 Shades, but if you're looking for light BDSM, that would be a better option than this. If you're looking for some quality smut with a real story, head to amazon and look up Tiffany Reisz. You won't be sorry.
Really, I'd just like something to be as good as the "Sleeping Beauty" trilogy.
There were a couple times where reading this felt more like a date rape transcript with paddles and rope than BDSM. Just seriously red flag stuff, and I wish someone would have told the author "this (insert several phrases, actions, and misconduct) does not constitute Safe Sane And Consensual."
The main male character is creepy, and the female main character has that all too common "willowy young woman with the sainted disposition" syndrome that just blights this genre, but exacerbated to a degree that you wonder if woodland animals are actually going to gather around her feet and burst into song.
Apparently this is Book #1 in I don't know how many but I don't care because I will not be purchasing any more of them.
I'd not often recommend 50 Shades, but if you're looking for light BDSM, that would be a better option than this. If you're looking for some quality smut with a real story, head to amazon and look up Tiffany Reisz. You won't be sorry.
Really, I'd just like something to be as good as the "Sleeping Beauty" trilogy.
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