Last Bell by Alison Hendricks
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
*~~*ARC kindly provided by the author to me in exchange for an honest review *~~*
David
After my wife died, I was positive I’d never be able to move on. I held myself together with glue and Scotch tape for my daughter’s sake, but I haven’t been the same since. I thought a new start in Glen Springs would do us both some good, and after a rocky transitional period, it seems like I was right.
Riley’s happier and healthier than she’s ever been. She’s doing well in school, she’s got friends I don’t want to throttle with my bare hands, and I know if anything goes wrong, her history teacher will do everything in his power to help her.
There’s just one problem: I’m starting to look to that same teacher to help me put my life back together, too. At first, it’s just a friendship. But it only takes a few words to plant ideas in my head, and soon I’m questioning if I’m really as straight as I thought I was.
I want him in my bed, in my life… but Riley has to be my top priority. I can’t afford to give my heart to someone new.
Jake
I’ve spent my whole life looking out for kids who’ve got no one in their corner–kids whose parents don’t give a damn about them. It’s a natural enough fit, considering my own father barely acknowledged my existence growing up.
But David isn’t like that. Yeah, maybe he’s a little anxious and has a tendency to helicopter parent, but I know he genuinely wants what’s best for his daughter. Even if he and I don’t always agree on what that is. He’s one of the good guys… but it doesn’t help matters that he’s also exactly my type. Kind. Funny. A big ginger teddybear of a man I’d love to let hold me forever.
I can’t fall for the father of one of my students. I just can’t. Especially when I’m on thin ice as it is for my unconventional teaching methods. But every time I’m in a room with David, I’m drawn to him. And when that dam finally breaks, we both get caught in the flood.
I could lose my job over this; everything I’ve worked so hard to build for myself. But for some reason, I just can’t seem to stay away.
Last Bell is the second, full-length gay romance novel in the Glen Springs series. It can be read as a standalone, but features side characters from past and future Glen Springs books.
The topic was great, I kinda love these “forbidden” topics where the main character is falling in love with his/her children’s teacher. Of course it’s only semi-forbidden but, you get it, right? 🙂
The way how David and Jake were presented was pleasant, I also liked how Riley was displayed as a lightly struggling 16 years old teen, who is grieving over her mother’s death & the new move to a small town like Glen Springs.
I like the “drama”, it was good included, not too much but not too dull. Of course there is hurt and comfort. First it is starting from the bonding connection between Jake and David & the project Jake is working on, but later there is the “drama” towards the end which is connected to Riley and her new friend Julie, a young, shy girl we know from the last book, Final Stretch.
The bi-representation in this book was im my opinion pretty nice. I was worried we get a “classical” case of Gay for You (GFY) and that the topic isn’t discussed at all. But unexpectedly there was an open talk about sexuality and not only between David and Jake but also between David and his daughter Riley. There is also a suprise in this corner of the book, but I won’t say what because it spoils the fun. Though as an attentive reader you maybe get it pretty soon. I can only say the whole side story between David’s daughter Riley and Julie was great! I was only a bit disappointed about the end. Because this felt a bit flat and I would love to see more, when they are older. 🙂 Would be refreshing different but we will see.
All in all the character were pleasant & believable. Not only David or Jake, but Riley, Julie and of course the well known Travis and Shane from the first book. I also could understand Jake so much, relate to him SO much. His hurt feelings, his pride and his way how he deals with everything alone is something I can totally understand and feel with him.
David was sometimes exhausting, but on the other hand his behaviour made so much sense and of course he is – as a single parent – worried about his daughter. Some parts are funny to read but often he is a heavy helicopter partent, but luckily, and that’s his charme, he realises it himself and you can’t be really annoyed by him.
Of course his worrying behaviour and his over-protectiveness leads to the drama and fuels it, but also Jake’s character traits are reason for it.
I really liked how the book had its up and downs, the tension was there.
David an Jake are really sweet, as well as sexy together and their erotical scenes are pretty smoking hot. :3
This book was more entertaining than the first book and therefore it gets 5 out of 5 stars. 🙂 I’m wondering if we can expect another book. Maybe about the nice waiter and chef the cuisine of the diner where David and Jake often eat? 🙂 We’ll see.
Mikku-chan 