Book Review: School Ties by Tamsen Parker

School Ties

By:
Tamsen Parker

Release Date:
September 20, 2016

Publisher:
InterMix

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Goodreads

GR's Summary:

Erin Brewster is nervous enough on her first day of teaching at Hawthorn Hill. But the way Zach Shepherd looks at her with his dark and dreamy blue eyes really throws her off her game. He simply has to walk past her to send her heart racing. Although he’s eighteen and a senior, he’s still just a student—and very off limits. To let her eyes linger over his body, to fulfill her fantasies would be more than inappropriate. It would be career suicide. 

Three years after his graduation from Hawthorn, Shep has returned as a member of the faculty—and he hasn’t forgotten his favorite teacher, the prettiest woman he’s ever seen. When they finally have a chance to get to know each other, they realize they share a common interest: kink. In fact, Shep has learned a lot about the subject during his time away and is ready to teach Erin a thing or two. He’ll soon have her begging to be held after class. 

As their relationship comes under scrutiny, the ties that bind Shep and Erin may begin to fray. But some bonds grow stronger under pressure... 

My Thoughts:

School Ties is the first book that I've read by Tamsen Parker.  I was drawn to this book due to the synopsis and cover.  Overall, it was an okay read for me.  There were things that I enjoyed, as well as things I disliked about this story.

The story is told soley from the main character's point of view.  Erin Brewster is a new teacher at Hawthorne Hill, an elite prep school.  This is Erin's dream job, and she is thrilled to be a part of "The Hill," a place that holds many fond memories for Erin of when she use to visit her grandfather, who ran the school.  Now that her grandfather has passed on, her Uncle Rett is the Headmaster of the all boys school.

On Erin's first day of teaching, one of her senior's in Calculus, Zach "Shep" Shepherd catches her eye.  He is very good looking, keeps to himself, and is mature for his age.  As the school year goes on, Erin fins herself fantasizing about Shep.  However, she would never cross any lines.

Shep has a crush on Erin at the beginning of the school year.  However, as he gets to know her, he really likes who she is as a person.  Shep becomes Erin's favorite student, and they grow very close to one another.

Shep fast tracks through college, and three years later is hired as the new Math Teacher at Hawthorne Hill.  He's come back to claim what he wants most; his senior Calculus Teacher, Erin.

I enjoyed reading about the friendship that developed between Erin and Shep.  I could really feel their connection with one another, and the sexual tension between these two was off of the charts.  However, while I love sexual tension and build up, I felt like the author waited too long for the characters to get together.  

I loved Erin and Shep's personalities and the dynamic that they had with one another at the beginning of the story.  However, they both seemed to change a lot in the second half of the story.  Erin came across as whinny.  She was always crying or sobbing for one reason or another, and she seemed to lack a backbone.  Plus, at times she came across as almost childlike, with her constant approval seeking behavior, sucking her thumb when she slept, and the way she wore her insecurity.  Shep lost his appeal for me.  The once mysterious, sexy, sweet, and caring guy, came across as if he were a completely different character when he returned three years later.  He wasn't as warm, sweet, or gentle as he previously was.

I really enjoyed how Shep encouraged Erin to share her fantasies and tell him bluntly what she wanted from him sexually.  Her pleasure was very important to him, and he did his best to make her desires a reality.

My Rating:

I give, School Ties by Tamsen Parker, 3 Crushing on Teacher, BDSM, Exploration, Sharing Fantasies Filled Stars!

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About Tamsen Parker:

Tamsen Parker is a stay-at-home mom by day, erotic romance writer by naptime. She lives with her family outside of Boston, where she tweets too much, sleeps too little and is always in the middle of a book. Aside from good food, sweet rieslings and gin cocktails, she has a fondness for monograms and subway maps. She should really start drinking coffee. 

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