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Lessons in Love #2
Letters of Love
Book 2 in the Lessons in Love New Adult Romance series
Alex Heron has graduated high school and been accepted to Princeton! But will college be the fulfillment of a dream like she always hoped it would be?
Leaving her first love behind, Alex travels away from her hometown of Woodsdale with a heavy heart. But will new love blossom as she makes new friends and joins a sorority and attends a wealth of college parties? As much fun as partying is, Alex must remain focused on her studies. She’s worked so hard to be there, she must make sure it’s worth it.
Princeton will test Alex. College will turn her from a young girl into a young woman. There will be hearts torn apart and flames burning anew, and always there will be the letters from home, the letters of love, to help guide her back from the brink.
Alex Heron has graduated high school and been accepted to Princeton! But will college be the fulfillment of a dream like she always hoped it would be?
Leaving her first love behind, Alex travels away from her hometown of Woodsdale with a heavy heart. But will new love blossom as she makes new friends and joins a sorority and attends a wealth of college parties? As much fun as partying is, Alex must remain focused on her studies. She’s worked so hard to be there, she must make sure it’s worth it.
Princeton will test Alex. College will turn her from a young girl into a young woman. There will be hearts torn apart and flames burning anew, and always there will be the letters from home, the letters of love, to help guide her back from the brink.
268 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 24, 2014
13 people are currently reading
147 people want to read
About the author
Clarissa Carlyle
37 books232 followersJoin my newsletter, get a free book http://clarissacarlyle.com/newsletter
New Adult Romance author. Reading was my earliest passion, often seeking the sanctuary of my room or the library to read everything I could get my hands on. I penned romantic poetry in high school and was winning school awards for my short stories at 16. In college I would hibernate in the library for days at a time, consuming every short story and novel I could find.
I probably drink too much coffee and eat too much junk food, but to compensate do like running and rollerblading outdoors when the weather is nice. I'm a hopeful romantic who prefers stories with a happy ending. You can often find me in a library or coffee shop working on my next story, or with my nose in a book.
http://clarissacarlyle.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/AuthorClariss...
http://twitter.com/ClarissaCarlyle
New Adult Romance author. Reading was my earliest passion, often seeking the sanctuary of my room or the library to read everything I could get my hands on. I penned romantic poetry in high school and was winning school awards for my short stories at 16. In college I would hibernate in the library for days at a time, consuming every short story and novel I could find.
I probably drink too much coffee and eat too much junk food, but to compensate do like running and rollerblading outdoors when the weather is nice. I'm a hopeful romantic who prefers stories with a happy ending. You can often find me in a library or coffee shop working on my next story, or with my nose in a book.
http://clarissacarlyle.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/AuthorClariss...
http://twitter.com/ClarissaCarlyle
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 4, 2019
This was an enjoyable read. I did not like it as much as the first because as she started to accept her college life, she seemed to forget about Mark and started a new relationship with Ashley, her new best friend, and Oscar, her college boyfriend. I thought that Alex was an okay character in this story. I really liked seeing her journey in her college life, but I just did not agree with the decisions she made in some situations. I hope she and Mark will find their way back to each other. I can't wait to read the last book. Overall, a great read.
February 20, 2015
The first sequel to Lessons of Love finds Alexandra Heron just beginning her four year stay at Princeton. Despite all the work that it took her to get into the prestigious college, she quickly finds herself getting caught up in college life, i.e., partying, drinking in excess, skipping classes and neglecting her studies. The only good thing that she seems to have going for her is the instant friendship that she forges with her roommate, Ashley, an extremely wealthy, generous and loyal friend who is, unfortunately, a party animal herself.
When Alex manages to land herself on academic probation, she is determined to turn things around. The last thing that she wants to do is to disappoint her family or the man that had worked so hard to help her get into Princeton, Mark, her former math teacher and lover. (That sounds naughty I know but their relationship was entirely consensual and very loving). In fact, Mark had chosen to let her go to follow her dreams and had promised to wait for her to return to him no matter how long that might take.
Alex’s newfound determination is short-lived though as in walks Oscar Deloitte, a totally brilliant, gorgeous and troubled young man that leads Alex astray from her studies and from Mark. She falls head-over-heels, getting completely caught up in the intense passion that springs up between them and again foregoes her studies in order to spend all of her time with him. This time, Alex is facing expulsion if she doesn’t turn things around. Her decision to refocus her efforts on her studies and to attend summer classes leads to a painful breakup with Oscar. Still, she does manage to turn things around academically despite her depression. When junior year commences, Alex is back on track academically and oddly enough, back with Oscar. Having missed her during the few months that they were apart, he decides to confess the reason for his moodiness and erratic behavior. Learning that Oscar is also grieving the loss of a loved one, and that he blames himself as does she, Alex is only too willing to give him another chance.
Will Alex be able to juggle an intense relationship and an increasingly intense academic program or will she fail? What will become of her former lover, Mark? Although Alex had decided to let him go, to focus on her future and on moving forward, leaving the past in the past, she’s never actually told Mark this. She’s simply stopped responding to his letters…
Letters of Love is well written and a pleasure to read. The love scenes are not graphically depicted so I believe that this series is suitable for young adults. I like the fact that Alex is an imperfect heroine. She makes mistakes and gets caught up in her emotions as so many of us do, especially when we’re young. This story is an honest portrayal of one young woman’s experiences as she leaves home for the first time, taking the first steps into adulthood, stumbling more than once along the way.
When Alex manages to land herself on academic probation, she is determined to turn things around. The last thing that she wants to do is to disappoint her family or the man that had worked so hard to help her get into Princeton, Mark, her former math teacher and lover. (That sounds naughty I know but their relationship was entirely consensual and very loving). In fact, Mark had chosen to let her go to follow her dreams and had promised to wait for her to return to him no matter how long that might take.
Alex’s newfound determination is short-lived though as in walks Oscar Deloitte, a totally brilliant, gorgeous and troubled young man that leads Alex astray from her studies and from Mark. She falls head-over-heels, getting completely caught up in the intense passion that springs up between them and again foregoes her studies in order to spend all of her time with him. This time, Alex is facing expulsion if she doesn’t turn things around. Her decision to refocus her efforts on her studies and to attend summer classes leads to a painful breakup with Oscar. Still, she does manage to turn things around academically despite her depression. When junior year commences, Alex is back on track academically and oddly enough, back with Oscar. Having missed her during the few months that they were apart, he decides to confess the reason for his moodiness and erratic behavior. Learning that Oscar is also grieving the loss of a loved one, and that he blames himself as does she, Alex is only too willing to give him another chance.
Will Alex be able to juggle an intense relationship and an increasingly intense academic program or will she fail? What will become of her former lover, Mark? Although Alex had decided to let him go, to focus on her future and on moving forward, leaving the past in the past, she’s never actually told Mark this. She’s simply stopped responding to his letters…
Letters of Love is well written and a pleasure to read. The love scenes are not graphically depicted so I believe that this series is suitable for young adults. I like the fact that Alex is an imperfect heroine. She makes mistakes and gets caught up in her emotions as so many of us do, especially when we’re young. This story is an honest portrayal of one young woman’s experiences as she leaves home for the first time, taking the first steps into adulthood, stumbling more than once along the way.
September 20, 2014
Another lovely story :)
This time Alex is finally at Princeton, and things aren't going so well.
She's met her roommate Ashley and these two are good together! Mark, is still in the background but they're mostly letter writing.
Enter Oscar, who Alex falls in love with and trouble lies ahead with their relationship.
This time Alex is finally at Princeton, and things aren't going so well.
She's met her roommate Ashley and these two are good together! Mark, is still in the background but they're mostly letter writing.
Enter Oscar, who Alex falls in love with and trouble lies ahead with their relationship.
March 28, 2015
Great book
I'm excited to see what the conclusion is for Alex and Mark. I hope they find their way back to each other.
I'm excited to see what the conclusion is for Alex and Mark. I hope they find their way back to each other.
January 10, 2015
Book 2 in the series picks up where book 1 left off. Alex is now off to college. She experiences the ups and downs of college life, and especially the distractions of a new guy in her life, Oscar. He's not the "good boy" type, but still draws her in with his bad boy ways. We don't learn until later why he acts the way he does. At first I hated him but grew to like him by the end. Not that I wanted to see Alex end up with him, just liked the way he was portrayed in the book. I was still rooting for Alex to wise-up over Oscar and move on. We don't find out until the third book, Living With Love if she ends up with Oscar or not. I'm hoping not but we'll see.
I love the flow and overall story arc that this author takes with her stories. I always get so drawn in to them and end up finishing one of her books in a day, or two. Loved it!
I love the flow and overall story arc that this author takes with her stories. I always get so drawn in to them and end up finishing one of her books in a day, or two. Loved it!
March 30, 2014
I'm loving this series and am in love with Mark, Alex should definitely go for him over Oscar and i'm about to start book 3 to see where this story goes.
June 16, 2016
Love this story
This is truly a gem of a series. So many nuggets of truth and hope laced into an unforgettable highly recommended story. Beautifully written.
This is truly a gem of a series. So many nuggets of truth and hope laced into an unforgettable highly recommended story. Beautifully written.
February 9, 2017
I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review.
I loved the first book in this series so much that I was ecstatic to be gifted a copy of this one by the author. I felt so many emotions with this book, but couldn't put it down until I finished it. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
I loved the first book in this series so much that I was ecstatic to be gifted a copy of this one by the author. I felt so many emotions with this book, but couldn't put it down until I finished it. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
November 21, 2017
A Good Read
A young adult romance for anyone loving the genre. And like all good romance, be sure not to forget having the tissue box nearby.
A young adult romance for anyone loving the genre. And like all good romance, be sure not to forget having the tissue box nearby.
October 13, 2019
Learning to live self is hard plus juggling life, healing and just being self...loved showed how hard work is rewarding
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2017
Almost DNF at 36%.
March 18, 2014
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
3 stars
Letters in Love is the second book in the three book Lessons in Love series. This book follows Alexandra Heron as she leaves high school and goes through her four years as a student at Princeton University. We get to meet Alex’s roommate, Ashley, as well as Alex’s new boyfriend, Oscar.
For me, this book was much more enjoyable than the first book. In the first book, I have to admit, I got hung up on the fact that Alex was accepted to Princeton even though she had been a poor student for 3 ½ years of high school. It bothered me so badly; I couldn’t allow myself to buy into the story. With this second book, I didn’t have that issue since it had already occurred. I found this second book to be much more realistic. Alex is still struggling with the traumatic loss of her father. She isn’t over the top dramatic, but her grief was realistic to me. Oscar is dealing with loss of his own, and handling it poorly, yet in a believable way. I’ve never loss anyone close to me; so I can’t say with 100% certainty, but for me, I felt Ms. Carlyle did a really good job of writing characters dealing with loss.
I still do not click with Alex. I don’t understand her at all. She comes off as cold hearted to me. She lost her father, so I feel as if she would draw closer to her mother and brother, but she does the opposite. How can someone go through four years of college and never go home to visit? I’m sure it happens, but it seems off for someone who seems to love her family. I felt sad for Alex’s mother.
Ashley and Oscar made this book for me. Ashley seems so carefree and fun, but apparently in a better way than Alex. She attends all of the same parties and sorority functions as Alex, but is somehow able to maintain her GPA, unlike Alex. Perhaps Alex should have followed Ashley’s example and not taken all morning classes so she could arrive on time. As for Oscar, I loved him from the time he appeared outside of Ms. Dunne’s office. When they kissed for the first time, I immediately felt he was the one Alex should be with (over Mark from the last book). Toward the end, Oscar does fall off for me, but I’m hoping he pulls it all together and comes back in the next book better for it.
3 stars
Letters in Love is the second book in the three book Lessons in Love series. This book follows Alexandra Heron as she leaves high school and goes through her four years as a student at Princeton University. We get to meet Alex’s roommate, Ashley, as well as Alex’s new boyfriend, Oscar.
For me, this book was much more enjoyable than the first book. In the first book, I have to admit, I got hung up on the fact that Alex was accepted to Princeton even though she had been a poor student for 3 ½ years of high school. It bothered me so badly; I couldn’t allow myself to buy into the story. With this second book, I didn’t have that issue since it had already occurred. I found this second book to be much more realistic. Alex is still struggling with the traumatic loss of her father. She isn’t over the top dramatic, but her grief was realistic to me. Oscar is dealing with loss of his own, and handling it poorly, yet in a believable way. I’ve never loss anyone close to me; so I can’t say with 100% certainty, but for me, I felt Ms. Carlyle did a really good job of writing characters dealing with loss.
I still do not click with Alex. I don’t understand her at all. She comes off as cold hearted to me. She lost her father, so I feel as if she would draw closer to her mother and brother, but she does the opposite. How can someone go through four years of college and never go home to visit? I’m sure it happens, but it seems off for someone who seems to love her family. I felt sad for Alex’s mother.
Ashley and Oscar made this book for me. Ashley seems so carefree and fun, but apparently in a better way than Alex. She attends all of the same parties and sorority functions as Alex, but is somehow able to maintain her GPA, unlike Alex. Perhaps Alex should have followed Ashley’s example and not taken all morning classes so she could arrive on time. As for Oscar, I loved him from the time he appeared outside of Ms. Dunne’s office. When they kissed for the first time, I immediately felt he was the one Alex should be with (over Mark from the last book). Toward the end, Oscar does fall off for me, but I’m hoping he pulls it all together and comes back in the next book better for it.
June 17, 2014
I loved that Letters of Love pretty much picks up from where Lessons in Love ended. It made it feel continuous and more like it was one book than separate books. Not to mention Alex experiences University life for the first time and makes a new friend right away. Ashley’s energy was easily visible and kept the reader bouncing as well.
I was excited to start this book because I’ve had one college experience and I wanted to see what Alex’s experience would be like. I could really relate to Alex in the beginning of the book because of all the feelings she was experiencing and the things she was dealing with. I remember very clearly what my experience was like and my transition was made a little easier by having a friend from home as my roommate. But throughout the book I started to really dislike where Alex was going and how she was acting. I thought she was wasting her chance and as a person who has worked hard to get where I am, I wasn’t really happy with her. Then there was the fact that she got so tied up with a boy that she was allowing it to affect her studies negatively and she wasn’t taking the chances offered her. I found that just slightly annoying. But towards the end I started to cheer more for Alex as she makes changes in order to better herself.
Then there was the fact that Alex deals with many common fears and difficulties of college students. I know that I’ve experienced many of them and I’m only finishing my second year. So it was easy to read Letters of Love and put myself in Alex’s place. Not to mention it reassured me a little as well.
The only thing I didn’t really like about Letters of Love was the time jumps that it experienced. I know it’s necessary but at the same time it was slightly annoying. I would have liked to have a little bit more to each year.
But other than that, I really enjoyed Letters of Love, and think it was a good addition to the Lessons of Love Series.
Find this review and many more at Reading Shy With Aly
I was excited to start this book because I’ve had one college experience and I wanted to see what Alex’s experience would be like. I could really relate to Alex in the beginning of the book because of all the feelings she was experiencing and the things she was dealing with. I remember very clearly what my experience was like and my transition was made a little easier by having a friend from home as my roommate. But throughout the book I started to really dislike where Alex was going and how she was acting. I thought she was wasting her chance and as a person who has worked hard to get where I am, I wasn’t really happy with her. Then there was the fact that she got so tied up with a boy that she was allowing it to affect her studies negatively and she wasn’t taking the chances offered her. I found that just slightly annoying. But towards the end I started to cheer more for Alex as she makes changes in order to better herself.
Then there was the fact that Alex deals with many common fears and difficulties of college students. I know that I’ve experienced many of them and I’m only finishing my second year. So it was easy to read Letters of Love and put myself in Alex’s place. Not to mention it reassured me a little as well.
The only thing I didn’t really like about Letters of Love was the time jumps that it experienced. I know it’s necessary but at the same time it was slightly annoying. I would have liked to have a little bit more to each year.
But other than that, I really enjoyed Letters of Love, and think it was a good addition to the Lessons of Love Series.
Find this review and many more at Reading Shy With Aly
December 20, 2015
This book further develops the story of Alex, I thoroughly enjoyed the fact that it kept me wanting to know more the whole way through the book. While reading this I constantly thought that I knew where the story was going but I was thrown off every time and that made me fall in love with the story even more.
Alex has finished high school and is now at Princeton, the college that her father went to. Alex has left her first love behind and she is adjusting to life in college, wanting to join a sorority and making new friends. Alex learns that Princeton is going to test her to find out how much strength she has, but what she has to realise is that whilst she is having a good time and enjoying herself by discovering new things she needs to keep her grades up as she has worked so hard to get there, she doesn't exactly want to loose it all.
Alex ends up meeting a new guy there and whilst it's all good to begin with she learns that she has to start growing up a little. Over the next four year she shows that she can do it all but when something happens to the guy she thinks she has fallen for she knows that she can't wait around for him to get better and that she has to follow her own dreams.
Will Alex achieve everything that she wants to throughout her time at college or will it become too much for her to handle. The one thing that she does know is that her love letters from back home always help her in the end no matter what the situation she is in.
I can't wait to read the next one, another amazing book by Clarissa Carlyle.
Alex has finished high school and is now at Princeton, the college that her father went to. Alex has left her first love behind and she is adjusting to life in college, wanting to join a sorority and making new friends. Alex learns that Princeton is going to test her to find out how much strength she has, but what she has to realise is that whilst she is having a good time and enjoying herself by discovering new things she needs to keep her grades up as she has worked so hard to get there, she doesn't exactly want to loose it all.
Alex ends up meeting a new guy there and whilst it's all good to begin with she learns that she has to start growing up a little. Over the next four year she shows that she can do it all but when something happens to the guy she thinks she has fallen for she knows that she can't wait around for him to get better and that she has to follow her own dreams.
Will Alex achieve everything that she wants to throughout her time at college or will it become too much for her to handle. The one thing that she does know is that her love letters from back home always help her in the end no matter what the situation she is in.
I can't wait to read the next one, another amazing book by Clarissa Carlyle.
June 23, 2015
Love hurts
I enjoyed this second book in the Lessons in Love series, but at times I wanted to throw the book and tell Alex to screw her head back on straight! I guess college is a step in life that can be fun but increasingly difficult as one matures and immaturity in life and love confuse all situations. So onto more journeys of Alex in book three, still hoping someday she will return to Woodsdale and rekindle with Mark...we shall see.
I enjoyed this second book in the Lessons in Love series, but at times I wanted to throw the book and tell Alex to screw her head back on straight! I guess college is a step in life that can be fun but increasingly difficult as one matures and immaturity in life and love confuse all situations. So onto more journeys of Alex in book three, still hoping someday she will return to Woodsdale and rekindle with Mark...we shall see.
March 25, 2014
*sobs* That damn letter. I really just want to skip to the end of book 3 to find out who she ends up with. Why do I have a feeling it won't be either Mark or Oscar? :(
August 10, 2015
I am so disappointing! I had high hopes for this young lady, but she let me down. GREAT STORY THOUGH. It did not go the way I predicted. Total 360 turn! :)
December 18, 2016
Just as good as the 1st...
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews