The Teacher's Wonded Heart by A.J. Jarrett

91FVHFPBWzL._SL1500_Title: The Teacher’s Wounded Heart
Series: N/A
Author: A.J. Jarrett
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novella (104 pages)
Publisher: Siren-BookStrand, Inc. (August 16th, 2014)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.75 Hearts
Blurb: Drew Hamilton is happy living a quiet life. Becoming a teacher was all he ever wanted and up until a few months ago that was enough to keep him content, that was before Cal Saunders moved in next door and changed everything. Drew feels like his life is spinning out of control, but falling for the tattooed god isn’t in his plans.

Cal knows the well-dressed and mild-mannered teacher is slumming it to be with a man who makes his living as a tattoo artist. Where he’s rough around the edges, Drew is smooth and sweet, everything Cal’s ever wanted. No matter how much Drew pushes him away, Cal won’t turn his back on what’s happening between them.

Drew knows he needs to let go of his past and move forward but fear keeps him paralyzed to do anything about it. He needs to figure it out soon before the only man he’s ever truly loved walks away.

A Siren Erotic Romance

ISBN: 9781632582089

Product Link: http://www.bookstrand.com/the-teachers-wounded-heart

Reviewer: Anna

Review: The Teacher’s Troubled Heart tells the story of Drew, a high school teacher who lives his life ruled by an event in his teens, and Cal, a tattoo artist who moves next door. The first meeting between these two marks the beginning of scorching encounters that soon turn into something more. Compatible in more ways than the physical, Cal and Drew have a great budding friendship.

However, Drew’s past rejection impedes him to ever try to give himself fully again. And so begins Cal’s battle to show understanding to an event that many would have overcome a long time ago, proving over and over that he is willing to put himself on the line for Drew. But when Drew thinks he doesn’t need help, how far and how long will Cal try without hurting himself in the process?

Thus, The Teacher’s Troubled Heart tells the story of how events affect people differently and that love alone isn’t enough to help them through: people need to want to move on. One of the things that clearly illustrate Jarrett’s idea is the very beginning of the story, where we meet

Drew as he is watching Cal through the window. This scene is a great representation of Drew’s distancing himself from what he wants, putting up a barrier to protect himself: watching from behind his window, connecting but withholding his feelings.

Jarrett’s writing is amazing, making up for the frustration the reader begins to feel towards Drew and his inability to move on. The author describes the characters in a way that make them feel life-like, ruled by human emotions that the reader identifies with. Even when we feel frustrated, Jarrett reminds us that everyone experiences things differently, and we cannot fault them for it. Hence, why the reader can’t put the book down until they find out if these characters have a happy ending or not.

On a personal level, my favorite character is Cal, who struggles through every obstacle Drew throws his way. As Jarrett describes him, Cal is not ashamed of himself even if his « tattoos and piercings might frighten other people». All his ink represents something personal and that’s how he presents himself: open and easy-going. Even after past hurts, he is not afraid to try again, even with someone as skittish as Drew. Above all else, Cal isn’t willing to lose himself over someone else.

The reason why I consider this book worthy of 3.75 Hearts is because, although I really liked the story and it’s well written, it’s not something that will remain with me for a long while.

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *