Book Title: Misconduct
Author: Penelope DouglasSeries: Standalone
Release Date: December 1st, 2015
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Former tennis player Easton Bradbury is trying to be the best teacher she can be, trying to reach her bored students and trying to forget her past. What brought her to this stage in her life isn’t important. She can’t let it be. But now one parent-teacher meeting may be her undoing…
Meeting Tyler Marek for the first time makes it easy for Easton to see why his son is having trouble in school. The man knows how to manage businesses and wealth, not a teenage boy. Or a young teacher, for that matter, though he tries to. And yet…there is something about him that draws Easton in—a hint of vulnerability, a flash of attraction, a spark that might burn.
Wanting him is taboo. Needing him is undeniable. And his long-awaited touch will weaken Easton’s resolve—and reveal what should stay hidden…
Misconduct is one of those books I ventured into almost completely blind. I'd never read any books by Penelope Douglas but knew of the book buzz surrounding Bully so I took one look at this blurb and took a chance. A chance I'm happy I took! Misconduct was all kinds of awesome.
Misconduct incorporated a few plot devices I tend to gravity towards. One, that forbidden romance theme. Easton (female MC) is a new graduate student in teaching when she gets a job at a private upscale school. She knows the parents will be a challenge with their power and prestige but is confident in her ability to teach young teens. Until she sets eyes on a student's father- Tyler Marek- a man she has a one-night history with 6 months ago. She disappeared into the night and never thought she would see him again.
Now here he is- Tyler Marek- the father to her student. Is he married? Where's the student's mother- the wife?
Second, Tyler has his sights on a Senate seat. So Misconduct has a fair amount of the whole political romance trope. Another bonus for me. The pressures from the press, keeping secrets secret, especially when your secret is a forbidden affair with your estranged son's History teacher.
Third, we are gifted a rich, successful hero and a tough-as-nails heroine. Easton has huge history and some issues yet she stands her own with Tyler in those early days of Tyler being a complete jackass acclimating to the teacher/parent roles.
All in all, I was completely swept up into this love story. There wasn't a lot of immature drama, but more real-life stresses that I found much more realistic and understandable. Tyler is a single father running a multimillion dollar corporation all while running for Senate. Can he add one more thing to his plate? What comes first and at what cost?
I'd highly recommend this standalone novel for those fans of forbidden, political, and steamy romances. It had it all! Misconduct takes place in New Orleans and we get a great glimpse into a city with so much art and culture. She sets the tone perfectly.
So why did I deduct a half star? The book was seriously perfect for me until the last five or so percent. There's a plot twist I didn't see coming and it just didn't sit right with me. It just didn't fit. That's just my opinion and it probably won't even bother other readers. It just put a bad taste in my mouth to an otherwise perfectly written love story.
I'm looking forward to future works from Penelope Douglas. I was hoping for a secondary character spin-off but after that twist, I don't think that'll be in the cards. But I can still hope...
Advanced copy received by author in exchange for an honest review.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Penelope Douglas is the New York Times, USA Today,
and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Fall Away series.
She dresses for autumn year round, loves anything
lemon flavored, and believes there is too much blood in her Coca Cola stream.
Or too much Coca Cola in her blood stream. Or...
You know what? It doesn't matter. She loves Coke.
Now you know.
She lives in Las Vegas with her husband and
daughter.
Author Social links:
GIVEAWAY
Loved the review, can't wait to read this one. :)
ReplyDeleteI heard about this book a long time ago. Samantha Young read an advanced copy (I think that she is a friend of Penelope), and she praised it. After reading your review, I'm still planning on reading it, but hopfuly the plot twist you talked about won't ruin the book for me.
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