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Lessons of The Heart by Jodie Larson ~ 4.5 “Promise” STARS

“The first time we met, James Dumont knocked me off my feet.

He’s sexy and smart, the classic good guy…. Exactly what I want, and everything I’ve ever dreamed of. The most perfect guy at Somerset High School.

He even makes sixth-period Geography interesting.

Everyone says high school is tough. Fighting my attraction to James? That’s the hardest part, because this guy, my perfect match, the one who makes my heart overrule my head…

He’s my teacher.

What if the greatest lesson you could learn in school couldn’t be found in a book?”

WHOA! I love this forbidden romance book. James is a young new teacher. He is sexy, smart, a little possessive, but a perfectly good guy. When James ran into a student Britta in the hallway, her beautiful eyes immediately captured his heart – It was love at first sight. James thought she was a fellow teacher. Britta is a senior, smart, sweet, a home-coming queen. Like James, Britta was quick to fall for her sexy new teacher. Their attraction was instant but no one wants to make the first move. Britta is almost done with high school; James has a reputation to keep. They both tried to fight the attraction and temptation toward each other. Can they keep each other at arm length until Britta graduates? Or will their forbidden teacher-student relationship ruin both of their future plans?

I usually avoid reading teacher/student forbidden romance (especially young male student and female teacher – it’s not my favorite. But this story is unique. Even though Britta is still in high school she is 18 years old and seems beyond her years. James is a very young teacher, only 4 years older than Britta. He is also a graduate student. Somehow, I was able to ignore that little technical detail of teacher/student taboo … so this book doesn’t seem so forbidden LOL …

I really like the plot, the push and pull, the angst of a budding relationship. The characters are well developed, likable except for a couple douche bags. The author gave equal attention to all the characters Britta, James, Liam and Penny which works well for me because I love Liam and Penny just as much as the main characters.  I really love Liam. He seems hot, easy going, protective brother. His heart is completely taken by Penny – I hope Liam will have his own story. enjoyed the banters between all the characters especially Liam – he is quite funny.

“So Pen, how’s it going”
“IT’s going well, Liam. How’s it hanging in your world?”
“Long and strong, baby. Long and strong.”

I can tell Jodie Larson has a great sense of humor. The dialogues written are quirky, comical and flow well with the narrative of the book.  The chemistry between the main two characters was blissful and passionate. Their love is intense, forbidden with secret rendezvous and stolen kisses… YUM!!! Let’s not forget the love-making scene – SUPER HOT!!!! At time though, the story has a feel of a college student/teacher relationship probably because of the partying and drinking but who are we kidding – I don’t know of any seniors that haven’t sneak in a party here and there. There was also a little drama, blackmail, and suspense at the end which add excitement to the storyline.

This book is written in Britta’s point of view so there wasn’t much mention of James’ family, where he came from, or what they think about his relationship. The epilogue was beautiful and I am very much content with the HEA for Britta and James. The author however, left Liam and Penny’s relationship open for interpretation so I do hope Liam and Penny has their own story, perhaps a novella

Over all, Lessons of the Heart is a such light-hearted, sweet love story with a message – when you love someone you fight for that person despite all obstacles. This is the first book I read of Jodie Larson and I will not be my last.

“I love you with all my heart. You are my life, my beloved, my promise that I will keep”