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The Professor
Esther wrote down her fantasies about her tutor, but she never intended for him to read them.
Once they cross the line there's no going back.
Esther has always been an average student. She coasts through life on a sea of Bs, until a fatal mistake jolts her out of mediocrity and into something else entirely. She accidentally leaves a story in an essay for her teacher — one that no teacher should ever see. And especially not Professor Halstrom.
His lectures are legendary, and he is formidable. But most of all: he is devastatingly handsome, and now he has Esther’s most private and erotic fantasies. The stage is set for humiliation. Until the Professor presents her with a choice. He offers private tuition at his home.
And at first that's exactly what she does, sure there remains a line between teacher and student that she would never cross it and that someone like Harding never would. He is far too cold and sharp, and so invested in all of his rules that breaking them seems unthinkable.
A single touch would be too much.
A wrong word could ignite an inferno.
So what happens when both of them want to burn?
183 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 24, 2015
92 people are currently reading
1019 people want to read
About the author
Charlotte Stein
117 books2,131 followersCharlotte Stein is the RT and DABWAHA nominated author of over fifty short stories, novellas and novels. When not writing deeply emotional and intensely sexy books, she can be found eating jelly turtles, watching terrible sitcoms and occasionally lusting after hunks. For more on Charlotte, visit: www.charlottestein.net
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 153 reviews
September 30, 2015
I saw the blurb and that this was a student/teacher romance and was all in. This was my first read from this author and I was a little excited to start this. Excited enough that I pushed aside a lot of required ARC reading to get to this. But I sort of found it lacking the appeal that the blurb had.
We meet Esther, who is very bookish, shy and all kinds of awkward. When she accidently turns in an erotic story instead of her essay to her overbearing professor, she’s just waiting for him to eat her alive (and not in the good way).
Professor Harding is not a nice guy, nor one that comes across as friendly or warm. He’s kept himself at a distance from most, until he reads the story from a student he isn’t allowed to desire. There’s only one thing for him to do... tutor her with her writing of course, in after hour sessions.
Soooo.... If Harding’s age of 31 not been mentioned I would have expected him to be sixty or so, or a time traveler. His whole persona just sort of did not flow. We went from classic literature-like prose into dirty talking about cocks and fucking... it was just off.
With the constant change of old-timey talk and alpha-domineering-speak it was hard to really stay focused and be enveloped into the story. It was certainly different, but just not sure if that is a good or bad thing.
My first thoughts after finishing this was that I liked it, but after a few days, like might not be the right word. I think with the high hopes I had, this just sort of let me down in the end.
We meet Esther, who is very bookish, shy and all kinds of awkward. When she accidently turns in an erotic story instead of her essay to her overbearing professor, she’s just waiting for him to eat her alive (and not in the good way).
Professor Harding is not a nice guy, nor one that comes across as friendly or warm. He’s kept himself at a distance from most, until he reads the story from a student he isn’t allowed to desire. There’s only one thing for him to do... tutor her with her writing of course, in after hour sessions.
Soooo.... If Harding’s age of 31 not been mentioned I would have expected him to be sixty or so, or a time traveler. His whole persona just sort of did not flow. We went from classic literature-like prose into dirty talking about cocks and fucking... it was just off.
With the constant change of old-timey talk and alpha-domineering-speak it was hard to really stay focused and be enveloped into the story. It was certainly different, but just not sure if that is a good or bad thing.
My first thoughts after finishing this was that I liked it, but after a few days, like might not be the right word. I think with the high hopes I had, this just sort of let me down in the end.
September 13, 2019
This book was really hard for me to get into and then it was a work unto itself to try and read each and every sentence to the end. I almost DNF'ed but I held on and finished it out.
My main problem with the book was the language - these two are living in the modern world and yet not only the professor but his college student speak in this stilted roundabout manner as if they were in Victorian times. As someone coming from England, this is not some upper class, educated use of language - it is literally archaic and stilted. He might as well come off as an 80 year old transported in a time machine with the way he words things, and why Hetty wanted him (outside of both of them coming off as oddballs) I could not figure out. And then there's the whole romance which felt just like his clothing - stuffy, rigid and uneventful.
Even with his backstory and own little tragedy, I still couldn't see couldn't really empathize with him. I actually found him dull as a doormat. Hate to stomp all over a book and I know I seem to be in the minority here but hey, the author must be able to write because it gets a lot for me to be so passionate, positive or negative, and I definitely am in my view of this book!
My main problem with the book was the language - these two are living in the modern world and yet not only the professor but his college student speak in this stilted roundabout manner as if they were in Victorian times. As someone coming from England, this is not some upper class, educated use of language - it is literally archaic and stilted. He might as well come off as an 80 year old transported in a time machine with the way he words things, and why Hetty wanted him (outside of both of them coming off as oddballs) I could not figure out. And then there's the whole romance which felt just like his clothing - stuffy, rigid and uneventful.
Even with his backstory and own little tragedy, I still couldn't see couldn't really empathize with him. I actually found him dull as a doormat. Hate to stomp all over a book and I know I seem to be in the minority here but hey, the author must be able to write because it gets a lot for me to be so passionate, positive or negative, and I definitely am in my view of this book!
August 6, 2018
Lewd and literary.
Lewd is Charlotte Stein's word, not mine. This book is quintessential Stein. Introspective odd-balls fall into lust and love. Highly erotic wordplay mixes with quirky characters who are at turns grasping for what they want and running in fear that they might earn that happiness. If you are looking for that teacher-student book that flaunts its taboo, you won't find it here. Professor Halstrom takes the high ground, despite the rather shocking verbiage at the beginning. And this book is all the more delicious for the tension that decision creates. I loved how these two truly saw into each other's heart and soul. Romantic. Dirty. Sweet. Everlasting. Perhaps this was not quite quintessential Stein because it was also sentimental. I marvel at how Stein can pack so many emotions into a novella that takes just a couple of hours to read. And did I mention satisfying? In more ways than one.
Lewd is Charlotte Stein's word, not mine. This book is quintessential Stein. Introspective odd-balls fall into lust and love. Highly erotic wordplay mixes with quirky characters who are at turns grasping for what they want and running in fear that they might earn that happiness. If you are looking for that teacher-student book that flaunts its taboo, you won't find it here. Professor Halstrom takes the high ground, despite the rather shocking verbiage at the beginning. And this book is all the more delicious for the tension that decision creates. I loved how these two truly saw into each other's heart and soul. Romantic. Dirty. Sweet. Everlasting. Perhaps this was not quite quintessential Stein because it was also sentimental. I marvel at how Stein can pack so many emotions into a novella that takes just a couple of hours to read. And did I mention satisfying? In more ways than one.
July 31, 2016
Like many other reviewers have said, the writing style of this particular book is really pretentious and odd. There is no
"Professor says this, "...."
Heroine replies, "..."
It's just lines of dialogue with a space between speakers. So the conversations seems stilted and awkward. To be honest, the conversations really ARE stilted and awkward. The language used is very old style...like...Austen old. While the subject matter and setting are modern. Meanwhile, it's hard to really get a take on the hero, because there is SO MUCH inner dialogue from the heroine. It starts becoming filler...whole paragraphs that I ended up skimming without meaning to, then paragraphs that I skipped intentionally.
I know that Stein has a unique style, and I have read and enjoyed a couple of hers before. This was not my favorite, but it WAS an experience. This is a couple of odd ducks, which seems to be the MO for this author. Her protagonists always seem to be the weirdos and freaks. (And I say that with the utmost respect. I tend to love the weirdos and freaks.) This particular couple are both very introverted and awkward. The hero's awkwardness comes out as loud condescension at first, then kind of settles when you realize what that stems from. The heroine just feels like she doesn't fit in, until she makes the mistake of turning in an erotic story instead of her assigned essay to her professor. He orders her to his office where he critiques her writing and seems to truly admire her talent.
Interesting premise. The execution wasn't my cuppa but I admire Charlotte Stein's dedication to her own style.
"Professor says this, "...."
Heroine replies, "..."
It's just lines of dialogue with a space between speakers. So the conversations seems stilted and awkward. To be honest, the conversations really ARE stilted and awkward. The language used is very old style...like...Austen old. While the subject matter and setting are modern. Meanwhile, it's hard to really get a take on the hero, because there is SO MUCH inner dialogue from the heroine. It starts becoming filler...whole paragraphs that I ended up skimming without meaning to, then paragraphs that I skipped intentionally.
I know that Stein has a unique style, and I have read and enjoyed a couple of hers before. This was not my favorite, but it WAS an experience. This is a couple of odd ducks, which seems to be the MO for this author. Her protagonists always seem to be the weirdos and freaks. (And I say that with the utmost respect. I tend to love the weirdos and freaks.) This particular couple are both very introverted and awkward. The hero's awkwardness comes out as loud condescension at first, then kind of settles when you realize what that stems from. The heroine just feels like she doesn't fit in, until she makes the mistake of turning in an erotic story instead of her assigned essay to her professor. He orders her to his office where he critiques her writing and seems to truly admire her talent.
Interesting premise. The execution wasn't my cuppa but I admire Charlotte Stein's dedication to her own style.
February 9, 2017
I'm going to start this review a little differently by talking about myself for a minute. Coming from the South East of England I'm what you would call 'common ' I have even been asked if I'm a cockney before (I'm not). I swear too much, I don't pronounce all my words properly and I'm clearly a bit too obsessed with sex ( 80% of my updates are sex orientated), some even think I'm uneducated because of these things. My point is I couldn't decide for a lot of this whether it was written for 'posh people' who like to read dirty books with their kind of dialogue or if it's just old fashioned in it's writing style. Having now finished it I would say it's the latter.
Professor Hardin's appearance and manner come across as that of someone in his 60s/70s. Especially with all the tweed he wears. It was like he'd been transplanted into this modern world from Jane Austen's era. Yes he spoke some very dirty words (c**t is used quite a lot) but his speech was very old fashioned. Even Hetty's was, just not to the same degree.
I found their dialogue amusing right from the start of their meetings. They had great banter and while yes it was all a bit awkward to read I actually ended up really enjoying both characters. It didn't really feel very forbidden to me though and I'm not entirely sure why. Maybe because people didn't notice them enough to cause it to be a risk.
What I would say is that there wasn't a great deal of background mentioned for either character, despite that you did still get growth from both of them. They let go, embraced passion - for writing, for life and for each other - and forgot what anyone else thought of them both being slightly odd.
Their joint quirkiness and the old fashioned writing style is what I ended up enjoying about this book but I can understand that not everyone will take it that way, which is a shame.
Professor Hardin's appearance and manner come across as that of someone in his 60s/70s. Especially with all the tweed he wears. It was like he'd been transplanted into this modern world from Jane Austen's era. Yes he spoke some very dirty words (c**t is used quite a lot) but his speech was very old fashioned. Even Hetty's was, just not to the same degree.
I found their dialogue amusing right from the start of their meetings. They had great banter and while yes it was all a bit awkward to read I actually ended up really enjoying both characters. It didn't really feel very forbidden to me though and I'm not entirely sure why. Maybe because people didn't notice them enough to cause it to be a risk.
What I would say is that there wasn't a great deal of background mentioned for either character, despite that you did still get growth from both of them. They let go, embraced passion - for writing, for life and for each other - and forgot what anyone else thought of them both being slightly odd.
Their joint quirkiness and the old fashioned writing style is what I ended up enjoying about this book but I can understand that not everyone will take it that way, which is a shame.
September 30, 2017
Do not go into this book thinking its the run of the mill Professor/student relationship. Its not. The writing is formal - quite Charlotte Bronte-ish. Beautiful prose and so very well written
September 25, 2015
There is a quiet intensity to this almost gothic yet modern forbidden erotic romance. Review to come at www.bookcrack.com.
It's a slow build, esp. for Charlotte Stein, but the sexual tension is ever present. This book is almost gothic in the way the hero Professor Halstrom stoically resists his forbidden attraction to Esther. A British romance in tone and dialogue Stein cheekily references Austin, Darcy and other classic works. Insanely erotic yet it takes a lot of persistence and witty dialogue to get them together. I swooned, I cringed, I was heartbroken and elated in turns. Not like anything else out there. Unique, dirty, poetic and perfect for fans of Bronte, Austin and the Byronic hero with a MAJOR dose of erotica. YUM just the kind of different read I needed!
It's a slow build, esp. for Charlotte Stein, but the sexual tension is ever present. This book is almost gothic in the way the hero Professor Halstrom stoically resists his forbidden attraction to Esther. A British romance in tone and dialogue Stein cheekily references Austin, Darcy and other classic works. Insanely erotic yet it takes a lot of persistence and witty dialogue to get them together. I swooned, I cringed, I was heartbroken and elated in turns. Not like anything else out there. Unique, dirty, poetic and perfect for fans of Bronte, Austin and the Byronic hero with a MAJOR dose of erotica. YUM just the kind of different read I needed!
February 8, 2023
this was fully and unashamedly deranged
October 8, 2015
2.5 stars.
The beginning held promise, and there were some good moments.
However, finding Prof. Halstrom and Miss Hayridge dull & odd made it difficult to relate.
The beginning held promise, and there were some good moments.
However, finding Prof. Halstrom and Miss Hayridge dull & odd made it difficult to relate.
September 26, 2015
Dont be fooled by the misleading synopsis like i was...this book is oddly weird, does not flow, and lacks chemistry btwn the 2 main characters. Their convos are beyond cerebral that i skimmed thru 50% of the book. 2 *bored/ led astray* stars
March 2, 2017
*Happy sigh* Charlotte's books always put me in the best mood. This one was slightly different than most, but still sweet and dirty as hell. I love the was she brings fucked up people together and shows us their journey to accepting both themselves and each other. Once again I can't wait for her next book!
It should be noted that the blurb here is slightly inaccurate. The dirty story she accidentally turns in is not about her professor specifically, it's just a random story she wrote. Also, the private tutoring sessions do not take place in his home but rather in his office at the school.
It should be noted that the blurb here is slightly inaccurate. The dirty story she accidentally turns in is not about her professor specifically, it's just a random story she wrote. Also, the private tutoring sessions do not take place in his home but rather in his office at the school.
September 26, 2015
There is a quiet beauty to this story. I felt a deep connection to the characters and simply loved every element of it.
March 22, 2016
Wow. Just....wow.
Incredible story. So many unexpected turns to it. Stein's writing and love of literature present in this story is enough to give any bibliophile wet dreams. Stellar piece of work.
Incredible story. So many unexpected turns to it. Stein's writing and love of literature present in this story is enough to give any bibliophile wet dreams. Stellar piece of work.
December 2, 2020
The Professor by Charlotte Stein is probably one of the sexiest novels I have read in the entirety of my reading life. I don’t say that lightly. Being the lover of good smut that is delivered right, I am quite particular about what I like. But, there is an edge to Ms. Stein’s writing that is evocative in a way that is indescribable. Unless one has experienced the range of emotions that Ms. Stein makes you feel with the turn of every page, I do not think a mere review can do justice to the magic that happens when Ms. Stein puts pen to paper.
Taking on one of my favorite tropes, i.e. the professor hero versus the student heroine, which brings its own forbidden variety of deliciousness to the story, The Professor features 31 year old Lukas Halstrom and 22 year old Esther Hayridge.
Esther is not a student of the brilliant variety. She barely scrapes by and most would just term her as average, that is until she mistakenly submits what she wrote for her own eyes; an erotic fantasy of her own which she mistakenly submits as an assignment for Professor Halstrom’s class. Bracing herself for the humiliation that would most definitely follow, none is more surprised than Esther when Lukas instead offers to tutor her in private, to hone her writing skills.
One may think that Lukas has intentions of the carnal variety from the onset. Perhaps to an extent, his baser instincts were roused by what Esther submits as an assignment requirement, but he is exemplary in his behavior and attitude towards her from the get go. It is only the content which they discuss that is thought provoking which borders on indecency, especially when it comes to Esther’s reaction to the discussions.
One thing leads to another, and before they both know it, they have crossed a line, the consequence of which comes in the form of Lukas upping and leaving the university altogether. It is only then the story truly begins, with the bout of heartache that follows, and the hope that comes in the form of a sealed letter that bares open the very heart of the formidable Professor.
Ms. Stein does a remarkable job in peeling back the layers of Lukas’ character through the eyes of Esther. I have yet to come across a hero in control and command of his needs and emotions as Lukas, and believe you me, I felt exhausted at points in time from how he holds himself back. But one cannot complain too much given how Lukas manages to leave not only Esther a hot mess when all is said and done.
However, at a certain point, I felt that the control he exerted was a bit too much, even when I understood that what Lukas wanted with Esther wasn’t the usual tawdry affair that he tends to have with the fairer sex. It is his way of showing that Esther matters to him in a way that no woman has before, and that he does not want physical aspects of their relationship to affect what could possibly bloom to life between them.
In the end, the fact that it was Lukas who came back for her perhaps made all of that worthwhile, especially after the roller coaster of emotions that the last couple of chapters puts the reader through. In my opinion, even though Lukas resists the effect Esther has on him at every turn, they are two halves of one soul who found their way to one another. There is no stopping what springs to life between them, to the point where neither time nor distance seemed to matter in the long run.
Recommended for fans of Charlotte Stein and fans of erotic romance that makes you feel in spades. I would recommend turning on the fan at full speed before you turn that first page and get lost in the midst of the red hot tide of desire between the two!
Final Verdict: Emotion that is tightly wound with exquisitely delivered smut makes The Professor hard to put down. It is no mean feat to strike the right balance between the two and Ms. Stein proves her worth with every word in the book!
Rating = 4.25/5
For more reviews and quotes, please visit A Maldivian's Passion for Romance
Taking on one of my favorite tropes, i.e. the professor hero versus the student heroine, which brings its own forbidden variety of deliciousness to the story, The Professor features 31 year old Lukas Halstrom and 22 year old Esther Hayridge.
Esther is not a student of the brilliant variety. She barely scrapes by and most would just term her as average, that is until she mistakenly submits what she wrote for her own eyes; an erotic fantasy of her own which she mistakenly submits as an assignment for Professor Halstrom’s class. Bracing herself for the humiliation that would most definitely follow, none is more surprised than Esther when Lukas instead offers to tutor her in private, to hone her writing skills.
One may think that Lukas has intentions of the carnal variety from the onset. Perhaps to an extent, his baser instincts were roused by what Esther submits as an assignment requirement, but he is exemplary in his behavior and attitude towards her from the get go. It is only the content which they discuss that is thought provoking which borders on indecency, especially when it comes to Esther’s reaction to the discussions.
One thing leads to another, and before they both know it, they have crossed a line, the consequence of which comes in the form of Lukas upping and leaving the university altogether. It is only then the story truly begins, with the bout of heartache that follows, and the hope that comes in the form of a sealed letter that bares open the very heart of the formidable Professor.
Ms. Stein does a remarkable job in peeling back the layers of Lukas’ character through the eyes of Esther. I have yet to come across a hero in control and command of his needs and emotions as Lukas, and believe you me, I felt exhausted at points in time from how he holds himself back. But one cannot complain too much given how Lukas manages to leave not only Esther a hot mess when all is said and done.
However, at a certain point, I felt that the control he exerted was a bit too much, even when I understood that what Lukas wanted with Esther wasn’t the usual tawdry affair that he tends to have with the fairer sex. It is his way of showing that Esther matters to him in a way that no woman has before, and that he does not want physical aspects of their relationship to affect what could possibly bloom to life between them.
In the end, the fact that it was Lukas who came back for her perhaps made all of that worthwhile, especially after the roller coaster of emotions that the last couple of chapters puts the reader through. In my opinion, even though Lukas resists the effect Esther has on him at every turn, they are two halves of one soul who found their way to one another. There is no stopping what springs to life between them, to the point where neither time nor distance seemed to matter in the long run.
Recommended for fans of Charlotte Stein and fans of erotic romance that makes you feel in spades. I would recommend turning on the fan at full speed before you turn that first page and get lost in the midst of the red hot tide of desire between the two!
Final Verdict: Emotion that is tightly wound with exquisitely delivered smut makes The Professor hard to put down. It is no mean feat to strike the right balance between the two and Ms. Stein proves her worth with every word in the book!
Rating = 4.25/5
For more reviews and quotes, please visit A Maldivian's Passion for Romance
September 4, 2018
Wow. This book was not at all the light-hearted, student-professor romance I expected. No virgins were sacrificed and in the end, there is mutual instruction as two misfits find their way to each other. It is told exclusively from the female character's point of view. I'd divide it into 3 segments. The first portion of the book is the slow burn between a woman that is clear with the reader about her desires and her attempt at interpreting the professor's intentions. Their verbal dance reminded me of classic British stories--for some reason The Importance of Being Earnest came to my mind. Their exchanges occur almost exclusively in the professor's small and crowded office, giving a bit of a claustrophobic (and somewhat depressing) feel.
The next portion of the book consists first of letters and then e-mails between the characters. Based on their earlier conversations and the initial letters, the switch to e-mail gave me a bit of a jolt, as I had forgotten this was a contemporary romance. The use of e-mail was oddly incongruous with the tone of the rest of the story. The content of the letters again brought British classics to mind--e.g. Jane Austen.
The book then switches to a more traditional romance/erotica format as the characters explore their relationship and the female character tries to understand the male's motivations.
The next portion of the book consists first of letters and then e-mails between the characters. Based on their earlier conversations and the initial letters, the switch to e-mail gave me a bit of a jolt, as I had forgotten this was a contemporary romance. The use of e-mail was oddly incongruous with the tone of the rest of the story. The content of the letters again brought British classics to mind--e.g. Jane Austen.
The book then switches to a more traditional romance/erotica format as the characters explore their relationship and the female character tries to understand the male's motivations.
September 25, 2024
Not what I was expecting
It was kind of hot but irl they’re probably the most boring couple. Imagining hanging out with them somewhere and they just seem like they’d have their noses in the air acting like they’re better than everyone lol
It was kind of hot but irl they’re probably the most boring couple. Imagining hanging out with them somewhere and they just seem like they’d have their noses in the air acting like they’re better than everyone lol
September 29, 2015
Ok. Loved the premise - a dusty, repressed professor and a socially awkward student's worlds collide.
The verdict: I usually love the banter that goes on in CS's books - Sweet Agony was spot on and was quite similar to this. So why didn't it work for me? I think it's fine to reference other classics but when your characters spout dialogue that is basically Jane Eyre/Wuthering Heights/P&P etc., after a while it a) gets tiresome and b) feels quite derivative. I was rooting for this book but the over-complication of the dialogue took me out of the story too often.
The verdict: I usually love the banter that goes on in CS's books - Sweet Agony was spot on and was quite similar to this. So why didn't it work for me? I think it's fine to reference other classics but when your characters spout dialogue that is basically Jane Eyre/Wuthering Heights/P&P etc., after a while it a) gets tiresome and b) feels quite derivative. I was rooting for this book but the over-complication of the dialogue took me out of the story too often.
June 30, 2017
The writing felt off throughout. The guy was 31 but talked as though he was from the 1800's and overly stuffy British. ( I'm Brit, I can say this )
This one wasn't for me, not sure if it was Stein's earlier work, but it won't put me off reading her again, she's fab dot com! Some of her books I'm addicted to.
This one wasn't for me, not sure if it was Stein's earlier work, but it won't put me off reading her again, she's fab dot com! Some of her books I'm addicted to.
January 19, 2016
Where sexy, meets proper, meets boring.
I had high hopes for this book. I was hooked from the reading the description and the beginning was awesome, but then it just sort of fizzled out. I would definitely try another book by the author, I think maybe this just wasn't what I expected.
I had high hopes for this book. I was hooked from the reading the description and the beginning was awesome, but then it just sort of fizzled out. I would definitely try another book by the author, I think maybe this just wasn't what I expected.
September 29, 2015
So good.
‘So what do you want to do now?’ I ask, as casually as I can. Only to have him answer with all the care I just disguised. ‘Never waste another second of my life pretending I don’t want to spend it with you.’
‘So what do you want to do now?’ I ask, as casually as I can. Only to have him answer with all the care I just disguised. ‘Never waste another second of my life pretending I don’t want to spend it with you.’
October 13, 2016
4.5 stars. Quite possibly my favorite romance author. I anticipated this book being some cheesy student/professor romance but it wasn't. It was a beautiful love letter from the author to herself. A slow and delightful burn.
September 21, 2025
Well this was wholly unexpected
I have a few short stories in my KU that I thought I’d read to clear some space, and this was one of them. But I wasn’t expecting this book. It had me in a chokehold from the start. I am so in love with the beautiful writing, and gripped by the characters and story
I cried several times, over what they they meant to each other as much as they tried not to. Over the way these two social outcasts found kindred spirits in each other. Over their dialogue, and the letters they wrote
I think I will be in my teacher/student era forever, although I have DNFed some that were so crass, and so cringeworthy, but this one was worth sorting through the rest for
I have a few short stories in my KU that I thought I’d read to clear some space, and this was one of them. But I wasn’t expecting this book. It had me in a chokehold from the start. I am so in love with the beautiful writing, and gripped by the characters and story
I cried several times, over what they they meant to each other as much as they tried not to. Over the way these two social outcasts found kindred spirits in each other. Over their dialogue, and the letters they wrote
I think I will be in my teacher/student era forever, although I have DNFed some that were so crass, and so cringeworthy, but this one was worth sorting through the rest for
September 6, 2020
This book was interesting - at times the love story felt sweet and almost old-timey (although this is a contemporary), and other times it felt almost stilted.
But holy sex scenes, Batman! Whew! It was *almost* too much for me, and I don’t think I’ve ever said that about a romance novel before! I mean!!! *fans self*
Three stars for the story, five stars for the steam!
But holy sex scenes, Batman! Whew! It was *almost* too much for me, and I don’t think I’ve ever said that about a romance novel before! I mean!!! *fans self*
Three stars for the story, five stars for the steam!
October 30, 2023
This book is completely underrated. It’s beautiful how two people who never seemed to fit in their families or lives find each other, even if it is professor-student. They’re both a touch removed from everyone else because of their pasts, but they’re perfect for each other. And also extremely horny for each other, goddamn.
April 18, 2024
3.5 - 4 stars. The first half was a little hard for me to get into, likely because I was struggling to connect and follow their dialogue. But the second half, including the prose and dialogue, was so much better for me and very hot! I quite liked how this ended and how some of the themes got wrapped up together.
October 8, 2022
Romance: ★★
Female lead: ★★★
Male lead: ★★
Plot: ★★
Steam frequency: ★★★★★
Steam quality: ★★★
Poetic: No
Did I like the writing: Yes
Did I cry: No
Overall: ★★
Female lead: ★★★
Male lead: ★★
Plot: ★★
Steam frequency: ★★★★★
Steam quality: ★★★
Poetic: No
Did I like the writing: Yes
Did I cry: No
Overall: ★★
December 2, 2024
insane british flirting in this, wow
September 28, 2015
I've been reading more by Charlotte Stein lately, and "The Professor" was a longer work than her usual, so I figured I'd give it a try. Plus, how can you go wrong with a Hot Professor story?
Esther Hayridge is quietly making her way through college, doing her best to fade into the background as she goes. She's used to being the oddball, so she's made a career of being invisible -- if people don't know you're there, they can't bully or humiliate you. However, she has a lively (and kinky) imagination, which she channels into creative writing. She's horrified when she discovers that she had mistakenly handed the handsome Professor Halstrom one of her stories instead of the assigned essay, and despairs when he calls her to his office after class. To Esther's surprise, he's rather complimentary about her story, and so begins a series of meetings during which Esther senses a connection between her and the formidable professor -- like her, he's a man apart -- and their mutual attraction flames to life. Esther slowly comes to understand that Halstrom's tragic past means that he can't give her the real intimacy she craves, and so despite her efforts to break down the walls he's built, she has no choice but to move on with her life, but now it's on her own terms. Eventually, of course, there's a HEA when Halstrom returns to her, but now they meet as equals, and face their future together.
So...it ends up being a lot more than a Hot Professor story. He's definitely Hot, and boy howdy does he like to talk dirty.....but there's also lots of layers and subtext, so you can't be a lazy reader. 'Duty vs. Passion' runs through the story -- can they coexist? Does one forbid the other??
Esther changes quite dramatically during her affair with Halstrom -- she starts out as a self-effacing little mouse, and ends up as "I Am Woman, Hear Me Roar." Initially she tells Halstrom, "'I feel mortified that I even said "p***s" in front of you.'" then later in the story, she's giving him oral sex in a movie theater...quite the transformation! Her passion for her writing and later, for Halstrom, cannot be denied, and allows her to develop emotionally as an adult.
Halstrom's got loads of intimacy issues as well. His childhood trauma has closed him off from any emotional connections. He perceives that he failed in his duty, so he forbids himself passion. He's isolated himself inside his sarcastic and patronizing professor persona, so as his affair with Esther heats up, he tries desperately to keep her at arms' length, and actually leaves his job and moves away to keep her at a distance. Only her persistence, patience, and passion save the day.
As usual in Stein's work, it's a beautifully written story. The language is elegant and precise, and the dialogue snaps and sparkles. Admittedly, it loses some momentum while Esther and Halstrom send their letters and emails back and forth. However, it gains steam (pardon my pun) again when Esther follows him after he's moved away.
It's a thoughtful and intelligent, but very hot, story!
Esther Hayridge is quietly making her way through college, doing her best to fade into the background as she goes. She's used to being the oddball, so she's made a career of being invisible -- if people don't know you're there, they can't bully or humiliate you. However, she has a lively (and kinky) imagination, which she channels into creative writing. She's horrified when she discovers that she had mistakenly handed the handsome Professor Halstrom one of her stories instead of the assigned essay, and despairs when he calls her to his office after class. To Esther's surprise, he's rather complimentary about her story, and so begins a series of meetings during which Esther senses a connection between her and the formidable professor -- like her, he's a man apart -- and their mutual attraction flames to life. Esther slowly comes to understand that Halstrom's tragic past means that he can't give her the real intimacy she craves, and so despite her efforts to break down the walls he's built, she has no choice but to move on with her life, but now it's on her own terms. Eventually, of course, there's a HEA when Halstrom returns to her, but now they meet as equals, and face their future together.
So...it ends up being a lot more than a Hot Professor story. He's definitely Hot, and boy howdy does he like to talk dirty.....but there's also lots of layers and subtext, so you can't be a lazy reader. 'Duty vs. Passion' runs through the story -- can they coexist? Does one forbid the other??
Esther changes quite dramatically during her affair with Halstrom -- she starts out as a self-effacing little mouse, and ends up as "I Am Woman, Hear Me Roar." Initially she tells Halstrom, "'I feel mortified that I even said "p***s" in front of you.'" then later in the story, she's giving him oral sex in a movie theater...quite the transformation! Her passion for her writing and later, for Halstrom, cannot be denied, and allows her to develop emotionally as an adult.
Halstrom's got loads of intimacy issues as well. His childhood trauma has closed him off from any emotional connections. He perceives that he failed in his duty, so he forbids himself passion. He's isolated himself inside his sarcastic and patronizing professor persona, so as his affair with Esther heats up, he tries desperately to keep her at arms' length, and actually leaves his job and moves away to keep her at a distance. Only her persistence, patience, and passion save the day.
As usual in Stein's work, it's a beautifully written story. The language is elegant and precise, and the dialogue snaps and sparkles. Admittedly, it loses some momentum while Esther and Halstrom send their letters and emails back and forth. However, it gains steam (pardon my pun) again when Esther follows him after he's moved away.
It's a thoughtful and intelligent, but very hot, story!
December 27, 2021
I have very complicated feelings about this one. On one hand, it is well-written. More than well-written - some of the prose is beautiful and so is the dialogue. It was also quite captivating. Once I’d started reading I wanted to find out what would happen, so I found it quite an easy read.
Both characters have very good, very fraught chemistry. The book is heavy on sex, and it’s done well. The plot is interesting; there’s slightly more to it than the description states. Both characters are quite unusual, especially compared to the usual stereotypes in this kind of genre. It made a nice change.
Personally, the characters’ personalities began to grate on me over time. I believed they were sexually attracted to one another, but I had a harder time believing they were so in love. The ending also felt a little hollow.
Overall I just didn’t get this book - yes it was very hot and fraught and angsty, which is a combination I enjoy if I’m in the mood for it. But this just didn’t do it for me. The cover, title, tropes, etc. all felt like this was meant to be a romance novel, an erotic one, but reading it felt more like an exploration of the psyche of two complicated people. I don’t know. It just wasn’t for me.
Another thing is a lot of the language is quite archaic and didn't really work for me. They both talk like they're in a different era, very old-fashioned language, and it wasn't believable. When it was revealed the hero (for lack of a better word) was meant to be 31, I was genuinely shocked - he acted as if he was at least twice that age. Plus, both characters jumped straight into using very graphic sexual language to speak to one another in a way that felt very...unrealistic. It came out of nowhere. I know there's an inappropriate nature to this kind of relationship anyway, but it felt...very unforgivable for him as a university lecturer. I don't know. Parts of the story just made me feel very uncomfortable.
Also, a minor gripe, but the story is set in the UK. It took me a while to realise this because the way the university they’re at is described didn’t sound like any UK university I’ve ever been in. It was only when the main character used the word ‘knickers’ that I clicked it was meant to be set there. The way the university seemed to work also didn’t feel right to me - the grading system, using ‘Bs’ and ‘A’s, I’ve never had that at university. Ever. And I’ve done similar courses to the main character and I’ve never had to hand in work for grading in the way she did. I just found it a bit confusing and it did put me off.
I would recommend it if you like darker romances that are more psychological.
Content Warnings:
Both characters have very good, very fraught chemistry. The book is heavy on sex, and it’s done well. The plot is interesting; there’s slightly more to it than the description states. Both characters are quite unusual, especially compared to the usual stereotypes in this kind of genre. It made a nice change.
Personally, the characters’ personalities began to grate on me over time. I believed they were sexually attracted to one another, but I had a harder time believing they were so in love. The ending also felt a little hollow.
Overall I just didn’t get this book - yes it was very hot and fraught and angsty, which is a combination I enjoy if I’m in the mood for it. But this just didn’t do it for me. The cover, title, tropes, etc. all felt like this was meant to be a romance novel, an erotic one, but reading it felt more like an exploration of the psyche of two complicated people. I don’t know. It just wasn’t for me.
Another thing is a lot of the language is quite archaic and didn't really work for me. They both talk like they're in a different era, very old-fashioned language, and it wasn't believable. When it was revealed the hero (for lack of a better word) was meant to be 31, I was genuinely shocked - he acted as if he was at least twice that age. Plus, both characters jumped straight into using very graphic sexual language to speak to one another in a way that felt very...unrealistic. It came out of nowhere. I know there's an inappropriate nature to this kind of relationship anyway, but it felt...very unforgivable for him as a university lecturer. I don't know. Parts of the story just made me feel very uncomfortable.
Also, a minor gripe, but the story is set in the UK. It took me a while to realise this because the way the university they’re at is described didn’t sound like any UK university I’ve ever been in. It was only when the main character used the word ‘knickers’ that I clicked it was meant to be set there. The way the university seemed to work also didn’t feel right to me - the grading system, using ‘Bs’ and ‘A’s, I’ve never had that at university. Ever. And I’ve done similar courses to the main character and I’ve never had to hand in work for grading in the way she did. I just found it a bit confusing and it did put me off.
I would recommend it if you like darker romances that are more psychological.
Content Warnings:
December 26, 2016
Despite reading a lot of erotic romances in the last few years, the Professor seems like one of the smuttiest, filthiest ones I've read so far. and that's not a bad thing. The author achieves an impressive feat of an almost gothic setting for the book. Sometimes, such as in the descriptions of physical settings, she goes over the top from subtly setting a wonderful tone, to just being silly and over exaggerated (I'm thinking about Esther's first views of the Professor's work building, for example.). But for much of the book, by creating believably isolated characters, giving them old-fashioned proclivities, such as for written communication and retro attire, and having them speak to each other as characters from a previous era might have--if they were being incredibly smutty and racy and honest about their feelings, and if women were treated like equals. Image a modern day erotic romance as written by Charlotte Bronte (The nods, from the title and titular professor to the relocation to a Belgian setting, certainly hint that this vibe isn't accidental.).
So I did enjoy this very much, less for the erotic imagery than for the distinct and fascinating character and settings. The erotic imagery was viceral and dramatic and generally very engaging too. While I loved that the characters were so committed to the written word, and written communication, sometimes I felt that their exchanges got bogged down with too many words. And as the book progressed, I got frustrated with the characters seeming to hash over the same issues over and over again. The professor is a deeply scarred man in many ways. Believable--he reminds me of someone I know, in so many ways. but deeply scarred, in an almost insurmountable way. Despite the fact that I got frustrated with what I felt was pointless repetition of the same issues again and again, and actually set the book down for about a week, at about the 80% mark, I found the resolution, when I picked the story back up, satisfying and believable. I loved the self actualization of Esther throughout the story and found it to be refreshing and important and the exact opposite of so many romance novels (50 Shades, I'm looking at you.), especially as her story concluded.
As long as you go in understanding that the story may slow down in a place or two, but know that it will pick back up, and that the reward will be worth the read, I think you'll enjoy it as much as I did. Kudos to Ms. Stein for writing such a creative and unusual but compelling erotic romance story.
So I did enjoy this very much, less for the erotic imagery than for the distinct and fascinating character and settings. The erotic imagery was viceral and dramatic and generally very engaging too. While I loved that the characters were so committed to the written word, and written communication, sometimes I felt that their exchanges got bogged down with too many words. And as the book progressed, I got frustrated with the characters seeming to hash over the same issues over and over again. The professor is a deeply scarred man in many ways. Believable--he reminds me of someone I know, in so many ways. but deeply scarred, in an almost insurmountable way. Despite the fact that I got frustrated with what I felt was pointless repetition of the same issues again and again, and actually set the book down for about a week, at about the 80% mark, I found the resolution, when I picked the story back up, satisfying and believable. I loved the self actualization of Esther throughout the story and found it to be refreshing and important and the exact opposite of so many romance novels (50 Shades, I'm looking at you.), especially as her story concluded.
As long as you go in understanding that the story may slow down in a place or two, but know that it will pick back up, and that the reward will be worth the read, I think you'll enjoy it as much as I did. Kudos to Ms. Stein for writing such a creative and unusual but compelling erotic romance story.
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