Title: Sweet Distraction
Author: Lainey Davis
Series: Stag Brothers #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2018

After reading Lesson Plans, I really wanted to know more about Alice and how she goes about her happily ever after. Particularly since she’s only a teen in the opening novella, and it was interesting to think of who she would become when she reached adulthood. Alice is so bright and full of life, whereas Tim(ber) is a great counterpoint to this, a little more serious and less willing to grab life and dive right in. I love how engaging they were as a couple, but also how they balanced each other out.

I love that throughout all of Tim dealing with his emotions, it’s Alice that is his safe place. And she is willing to help him and be there for him when she realises this. Davis describes having that one person who is the ‘safe space’ incredibly well – having that one person who you can let your guard down around and actually open up to. One of the most memorable scenes in this book is when Tim and Alice are sitting on a park bench and he is able to just relax and unwind.

At first, I wasn’t all that confident of Alice and Tim as a couple, he was a bit controlling, and she’s such a free spirit. But, it turns out that they are a fantastic couple. Tim just needed to realise that he doesn’t get to unilaterally call the shots. Once he manages that, he’s actually really sweet and you can understand all of the emotion and love behind the insanity of his behaviour and questionable decision making.

There is something enjoyably and beautifully simple about Davis’ writing. It is always a couple that somehow work perfectly together. There are a few hurdles, and then a great happily ever after. I love reading her work and just… living in a happy world with enough complications to keep it interesting. Now, I’m looking forward to reading the next in the Stag Brothers series.

Image source: Amazon

Title: Lesson Plans
Author: Lainey Davis
Series: Stag Brothers #0.5
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2022

Doug and Amy are way too cute of a couple. I mean, they are both actually really sweet and fun. Although, Amy is a little bit rougher around the edges than Doug. But, I do love prickly women with a heart of gold.

This might be a teacher, student romance. But it does have a slight twist. It played into the trope, without being so forbidden and, well, icky. I also love how they’re both finding their feet throughout the short course Doug teaches.

Doug learning about his privilege and being willing to understand and change because of this was amazing. I seriously wish more people were willing to recognise their privilege and see how it influences everything we say and do. The growth of him during this novella was amazing.

Amy is a fairly angry and feisty lead. But, I completely understand why. And I loved that she is also able to enjoy life and the moment when she needs to. They’re a fantastic couple and I can’t wait to spend more time with them as secondary characters.

Image source: Goodreads