Title: Teach Me
Author: Sloan Johnson
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novel (192 pages)
ASIN: B00Q12UZCY
Publisher: Sloan Johnson (November 22nd, 2014)
Heat Level: Medium
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3 Hearts
Reviewer: Zane
Blurb: Two words stripped Austin Pritchard of the privileged life he’s used to. The moment he uttered the words, “I’m gay,” he realized there is no such thing as unconditional love. Now, he’s gone from traveling the world with his family to living on the streets trying to figure out how he’s going to stay in school.
A chance opportunity changes everything. Austin impresses the foreman and lands a job, but even more, he catches the eye of David Becker, who is determined to teach him that true love doesn’t come with strings.
The only thing David had, as a child was love. His family struggled to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads. That has driven him to stay focused on his goals; become a tenured professor at a university and save enough money to build a home of his own. It’s not until he sees an insecure college student working on his new house that he realizes that he hasn’t planned on someone to share his life with.
He’s about to learn that everything he’s already accomplished is nothing compared to the task of making Austin see that he is worthy of love.
Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/Teach-Me-Sloan-Johnson-ebook/dp/B00Q12UZCY
Review: From the start, my heart just ached for young Austin. Twenty years old, fresh out of the closet and forced to re-evaluate everything he was taught in his short lifetime, how could I not feel for him? David, coming from his own dire straits in his past must have sensed a kindred spirit of sorts, even though he was unaware of Austin’s exact situation. I immediately understood his desire protect and care for Austin.
I enjoyed the slow build of first their friendship and then their relationship. It was refreshing to see David take his time to earn Austin’s trust, to see them grow together as they matured in what was actually the first serious relationship for each of them. I really liked the way their first kisses were written – as moments of wonder, from Austin’s point of view as a true innocent opening his eyes to love with another man for the first time.
There was definite angst and moments of frustration (and a lot of ups and downs) with both characters – somebody needed to tell these guys to COMMUNICATE!!!! Ultimately, all’s well that ends well, and it was great to see an epilogue where both Austin and David have matured and grown together in a way that is real and believable.
This is not a sexy, smutty read; it is a poignant and sweet love story with flawed and real characters who ultimately find their happiness together. If you don’t mind a few bumps along that road, then Sloan Johnson’s latest book (and first foray into MM genre) just might be the book for you.
. ** I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through www.mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com **