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Steamy Teacher Romances #1
See Me After Class
"Did you have relations with my brother . . ."
Good question.
I’d like to preface this by saying it was never my intention to ever get involved in a workplace romance, let alone get involved with the most surly, agitating, and pompous man I’ve ever met who just so happens to be my new friend’s brother.
My intentions were to show students how English and reading books could actually be fun and make a new life for myself in the suburbs of Chicago.
But so far, I’ve managed to be called into the principal’s office.
Coerced into participating in the teacher's badminton league.
And instigated into passionate fights with Arlo Turner over education and decorum while losing my underwear at the same time.
Known as Mr. Turns Me On, he’s the reason I might get fired from my first ever teaching job.
Good question.
I’d like to preface this by saying it was never my intention to ever get involved in a workplace romance, let alone get involved with the most surly, agitating, and pompous man I’ve ever met who just so happens to be my new friend’s brother.
My intentions were to show students how English and reading books could actually be fun and make a new life for myself in the suburbs of Chicago.
But so far, I’ve managed to be called into the principal’s office.
Coerced into participating in the teacher's badminton league.
And instigated into passionate fights with Arlo Turner over education and decorum while losing my underwear at the same time.
Known as Mr. Turns Me On, he’s the reason I might get fired from my first ever teaching job.
430 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 12, 2020
About the author
Meghan Quinn
127 books38.4k followersLike me on FB: https://www.facebook.com/meghanquinna...
When I was in high school I occasionally read books but was consumed by other teenage things so I didn't take the time to appreciate a good book on a cloudy day, wrapped up in a blanket on the couch. It wasn't until I received a Kindle for Christmas one year that my world completely flipped upside down. When looking for books I came across the Contemporary Romance genre and was sold and I haven't turned back since.
You can either find my head buried in my Kindle, listening to inspiring heart ripping music or typing away on the computer twisting and turning the lives of my characters while driving my readers crazy with anticipation.
I currently reside in beautiful Colorado Springs where the sun is always shining and there is a trail waiting to be hiked on every corner. I share a lovely and warm home with the love of my life and my five, four-legged children.
When I was in high school I occasionally read books but was consumed by other teenage things so I didn't take the time to appreciate a good book on a cloudy day, wrapped up in a blanket on the couch. It wasn't until I received a Kindle for Christmas one year that my world completely flipped upside down. When looking for books I came across the Contemporary Romance genre and was sold and I haven't turned back since.
You can either find my head buried in my Kindle, listening to inspiring heart ripping music or typing away on the computer twisting and turning the lives of my characters while driving my readers crazy with anticipation.
I currently reside in beautiful Colorado Springs where the sun is always shining and there is a trail waiting to be hiked on every corner. I share a lovely and warm home with the love of my life and my five, four-legged children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,343 reviews
November 11, 2020
4.5 stars
This was such a fun enemies to lovers/workplace romance. I had a blast reading it and I really hope Quinn decides to write more from this group of characters!
Greer is a new teacher who gets hired at a prestigious public school as an English teacher. She couldn’t be more excited, but the head of the English department and fellow English teacher Arlo Turner, not so much. Arlo and Greer definitely start off on the wrong foot. They don’t get along and aren’t afraid to show it, and the pranks Greer decides to play on him only makes it worse.
Greer falls into Arlo’s group of friends at the school, as well as makes friends with his sister, so the two end up spending more time together than either would like. Though it’s apparent they can’t stand each other, it’s also apparent they are insanely attracted to one another.
The chemistry between Arlo and Greer was undeniable. I loved watching them start to develop feelings for one another. It took Arlo some time to come around and I’m not gonna lie, it got frustrating, but once he did, he was such a romantic hero.
If you’re looking for a fun and fresh romantic comedy that will make you laugh, smile, and swoon, pick up See Me After Class!
This was such a fun enemies to lovers/workplace romance. I had a blast reading it and I really hope Quinn decides to write more from this group of characters!
Greer is a new teacher who gets hired at a prestigious public school as an English teacher. She couldn’t be more excited, but the head of the English department and fellow English teacher Arlo Turner, not so much. Arlo and Greer definitely start off on the wrong foot. They don’t get along and aren’t afraid to show it, and the pranks Greer decides to play on him only makes it worse.
Greer falls into Arlo’s group of friends at the school, as well as makes friends with his sister, so the two end up spending more time together than either would like. Though it’s apparent they can’t stand each other, it’s also apparent they are insanely attracted to one another.
The chemistry between Arlo and Greer was undeniable. I loved watching them start to develop feelings for one another. It took Arlo some time to come around and I’m not gonna lie, it got frustrating, but once he did, he was such a romantic hero.
If you’re looking for a fun and fresh romantic comedy that will make you laugh, smile, and swoon, pick up See Me After Class!
Read
November 23, 2020🏫 SEE ME AFTER CLASS IS LIVE! 🏫
Mr. Turner would like to see you after class . . .
✓ Teacher/Teacher STEAMY romance
✓ Enemies to lovers
✓ Best friend’s brother romance
✓ Alpha with a change of heart
✓ Romantic Comedy with undeniable chemistry
This steamy work place romance will get your pulse pumping!
Grab your copy now--> https://amzn.to/2I5ANEB
Mr. Turner would like to see you after class . . .
✓ Teacher/Teacher STEAMY romance
✓ Enemies to lovers
✓ Best friend’s brother romance
✓ Alpha with a change of heart
✓ Romantic Comedy with undeniable chemistry
This steamy work place romance will get your pulse pumping!
Grab your copy now--> https://amzn.to/2I5ANEB
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December 28, 2022
R A T I N G: 3 stars to See Me After Class!
'Look out, Leonardo, there’s a new Jay Gatsby in town, and he’s stealing hearts with every devastating glare.'
“God, you’re infatuated, aren’t you?” Cora asks. “The proper term would be bewitched, Coraline. Utterly bewitched.”
An enemies to lovers romance See Me After Class certainly is and a near-accurate description ‘enemies to lovers’ is of my relationship with my first Meghan Quinn romance. Perhaps ‘lovers to enemies to lovers’ is more apt but I’m going to preface this review with an honest assessment, and that’s to relay that I had a swaying, seesawing affair with this rom-com romance (all of my noted observations dovetail one and the same). When I started this book my joy was an open flame and I was fully equipped to give every inch of this top marks. I happily listened to that voice. Each page pinched a grin and lifted a laugh, each chapter dazzled and I was already developing a love for the author’s voice. In simple terms, I deeply considered my reluctance to begin this sooner. If there’s one thing so say about Meghan Quinn, she kindles an instantaneous spark. One that’s full-bellied and irresistible.
While there’s plenty to enjoy - plenty that I did enjoy I need to add - that rumbling fire did wane and wither to a collection of smaller embers for a few reasons which I’ll outline. I did debate leaving this read unfinished but in true anal-retentive fashion, I read for the triple threat of fidelity, fairness and the clarity of a full picture. And because this book demands the attention of any red-blooded romance reader. My bookish perseverance is living, breathing thing, and I’m glad that I didn’t part ways with a book that I juggled gripes with because it certainly had sparkling features. Quirky, spirited, upbeat and confident fit-for-rom-com writing leaves little to the imagination. And while I come prepped with my dislikes I’m also prepared to line up the pleasures like a set of spoils I took a shine to.
GREER: I immediately took to Quinn’s heroine; she’s fun, bold and spirited with whimsy that made think ‘OH, I’m going to like her’. The scene where she and her newly-acquired bestie have one too many drinks at Arlo’s work gathering made me truly realise that an inebriated Greer with too many flutes of bubbly in her system should be savoured. She believes in animating literature and there’s a passion and a point behind her modern, interactive teaching methods. Along with the new member of the faculty comes a fresh perspective in the classroom; a challenge to her cardigan-clad teaching neighbour. She’s very relatable and I agreed with her stance on alternative teaching; no two students learn the same way so suffice it say, teaching should vary and shouldn’t be beholden to the ‘one size fit all’ maxim. Even though Arlo was truly unamused by her entire person, I found her very amusing.
I’ll dish the gospel on Quinn’s hero but what’s crystal clear is his unmediated lack of decency and professional amiability towards Greer. While Arlo’s militant stance pushes her to play into the ‘enemies’ role by hating him and thus exacting vengeance (which he deserved and those pranks were ace), she soon melts for a man who hasn’t mouthed one good-natured word to her since her occupation at Forest Heights. Why she later succumbs to the unstable sexual pull while the enmity is still alive and kicking (and when he’s shown zero signs of esteem for her as a colleague, a person and a fellow educator) I still wonder. She admits to never turning a blind eye to Arlo’s arrogance, but that stance dissolves like a pan of overheated butter after the initial hate period. She loses the grip on her anger in situations that actually call for it, and other times, she can be as high-minded as her inflexible love interest. Ultimately I wish she’d been more exacting in a way that would’ve made Arlo stop, listen and realise his erring on the prejudiced side of first impressions.
ARLO: Before diving in, I caution fellow readers to brace themselves for a hero who’s not just brash, abrasive and eruptive, he’s frustratingly ill-disposed with an appeal that’s about as magnificent as a bar of soap. As a man, as a love interest, as a developing character and as the hero of this romance, he’s an entire process. Liking him is a process, loving him will take its time, and you’ll need to brace yourself with an armful of patience before you get there. He’s highbrow, magisterial, traditionalist and unapologetic in a way I didn’t like and his baseless prejudice for Greer felt very personal. He’s generous with insults, has double standard that involve freely dispensing his disdain but is mortally offended with any slight against him, far from shy in showering Greer with his unsweetened criticism and as the department head who’s word seems to be law, he’s downright abhorrent to the newcomer. Romance incarnate, my friends.
You can't accuse him of holding his tongue, but you also can't accuse him of using it to form a remotely warm sentence towards Greer. I was adamant that his name wouldn’t be anywhere near the list of my book boyfriends because he did and said some offensive things; his presence was an onslaught. He’s unapproachable, unfriendly and I conceded the fact that Meghan Quinn might’ve misfired with the very unromantic profiling of her hero. He did poop the party that was this romance because while I can definitely take to a flawed character, Arlo was a walking, talking gripe I wasn't sure I could recover from. That is, until, his major turning point takes place and the author gives him and his attitude a complete makeover.
A man who can barely break a smile, is humour-averse, demeaned and dwarfed Greer without an ounce of guilt and sexually manipulated her reshapes himself from a supreme, intellectualised ape to an almost regally charming man. I’m not a fan of the Mr. Darcy-type model and while I had the barest threads of sympathy for him for a solid length of the story, I really did like the Arlo he developed into in the end (may have even swooned a bit, I won’t lie), even if he became too divine and dreamy as he laid the niceties on like a fine spread. As spoken, it’s an extreme process, and it’s fair to say that when the time for his development came, the author went too hard and too fast to redeem him. He may have been as high-brow as he is emotionally unevolved, but I was also (very secretly) hoping that he’d utter the words ‘See me after class’ at least once in true Arlo fashion - I think I’m the only one with such a complaint though.
The romance and its development…
The romance in See Me After Class is a bit of a parts and stages production. The first part gets into the pedagogy feud between Arlo and Greer; he believes her teaching methods are an unseasoned, infantile fit for their high standards and harshly schools her in the failings of improper (to him) education. They clash on the premise of conflicting educational methodology (and Arlo’s notorious a**hole attitude), that’s where the hate reaches some fine and fiery notes. The outrage leads to a lot of chaffing, ridicule and derision and sharp mockery which bleeds into the unpadded chemistry of something more crudely carnal. In the final part of the book though, the romance has a very different pace and a very different flavour and that’s entirely due to Arlo’s transformation.
The smut was saucy, and while it really does steam up the spectacles, it was more steam than substance (to begin with) due to Arlo deliberately leashing any sense of intimacy). While he doesn’t think golden of the earth beneath Greer’s feet and she’s affronted by his every slant, there comes a surprising turning point; she defects. Now this turning point is essential to Arlo’s ample (though brisk and hasty) development. And for Greer to be able to reflect on what she needs from a healthy relationship, even proactively deciding upon alternative romantic options, I.e. dating someone else - not something I like usually but did encourage due to Quinn’s contemptible, tactless hero. I fully championed that decision. But back to Arlo. As problematic as I found him and his early lack of likeability, his resulting transformation was big.
I appreciate therapy being brought into the conversation (love it actually for healthy hero representation), even if I do think it’d take more than one joint tag-along session to be that self-reflective for an emotionally maladjusted person. Arlo still faced a realisation and acted. And here’s where I tug Greer back into my point because where Arlo dedicated himself to reflective awareness (which takes a willingness to change to even consider therapeutic intervention), she fails to show the same in the final act of the book. When she was challenged with her own lack of adaptability and was upset over something that seemed much more bloated than it needed to be, her failing to take ownership really hurts her own character development. And to me, that’s where her character suffered, and resultingly wastes the star-eyed, lovable act of a grand gesture on a situation that didn’t need it; and that’s hard to say as someone who loves a big, bold and meaningful show of love.
While the romance and its structure/pacing was problematic, for a sub-genre dedicated to comedic relief, I did have a lot of fun with See Me After Class; and that’s the vision with a rom-com, you want to laugh. Even though I did hope for their teaching war to have and hold a stronger developmental plotline (and outcome) of its own, I love the idea for the storyline. The pride and the prejudice might’ve made me dizzy, the story was unromantic bar the final length, Quinn somehow made me switch from Arlo-intolerant to an Arlo sympathiser and I truly do lament the fact that it was a majorly missed opportunity on Greer’s part to endanger Arlo’s cardigans, but even though I feel like I received the short end of the stick with a hero I didn’t want to commiserate with, I still found myself committed to the author’s style.
The quirky temper and the comedy relief are nodes of the narrative puzzle that alight this rom-com with a more-than-generous dose of funny. The humour brilliantly braids in a comical frame of mind and I was charged on pages dusted with it. The camaraderie is also a great feature. I loved the friendships and how involved the supporting characters were. Another strong mention: I was impressed that the represented male cohort weren’t a grotesquely debauched ring of rakes and lechers (in the present day at least). Gunner seemed driven to build a life that included his partner and child, Romeo was clearly pining over Stella and the other crossover male side characters (who I’m guessing belong to Quinn’s interconnected series) followed similarly. I’m not debauchery-averse, but I also like to see fictional men able to have ordinary conversations and who aren’t regularly waylaid by their animal mind (even if I do immensely enjoy that too).
Their small assembly mixed really well and I’d love to see more male/female friendship groups represented in romance. The author marks a flair for what I assume she hoards within her, and that is a bank of zany humour. I likely wouldn’t have chosen this as my first Meghan Quinn romance and this isn’t the welcoming introduction I was hoping for, but her writing awoke a strong appeal. This genre does seem to be Meghan Quinn’s perfect place and I’m excited to find the right fit for me. An in-the-classroom rom-com spin on the famously observed Pride and Prejudice, appropriated for the contemporary romance readership. No deeply ingrained similarities but a lot of pride and a lot of prejudice, a bow to the original tale, open-door smut scenes, an enemies with benefits teacher/teacher romp with a teaching crew, a cardigan-clad hero, a of course a hero and heroine fit to echo the disputed bad blood.
CONTENT_WARNING: Profanity. Mentions self harm (slitted wrists). Alcoholism. Abandonment. Sex scenes and smut throughout.
E X T R A_T H O U G H T S:
1) I know that this book is being described as a best friend’s bother romance, but Greer doesn’t actually meet Arlo’s sister until further into the story, so friends though they become on-page, it’s not something they are for a while. I'm not sure I’d personally give it that label; the book definitely fits the mould of a colleagues, grumpy/sunshine and enemies to lovers romance.
2) If I haven’t spoken about Arlo enough already, we’re going to take a bit of a stroll down that avenue once more. He’s very hot and cold and his moods are quite sharp and brusque. When a character processes that way, there's usually a conflict between what he actually wants and what he's willing to show, and what I find a bit dangerous about that is it can and does result in gaslighting (which also results in a lot of confusion, hurt and pain for the heroine). I can’t remember the ins and outs of their interactions precisely but Arlo does use sexual acts and behaviour to manipulate and maintain dominance over Greer, which was something I really didn’t like. He dangles the idea of pleasure (or works her up) then takes it away or gives in only on his own terms. All done to withhold any emotional side to him but it also stunts the pleasure of enjoying those scenes. Another Arlo gripe: I’m not a fan of a hero’s ‘no touching’ demand in the bedroom. Again, this was initially due to Arlo purposely upholding the power role (for his maladjusted reasons), and while he absolutely does change in almost every way and the bedroom scenes become more emotionally involved, it’s not something I enjoy. Sex scenes have a power dynamic so I like to see a heroine playing a part in that too. And I’m just finally mentioning this because I wrote about it in my notes (and I remember being a tad outraged by it too). At one point Arlo thinks the words ‘she’s so easy’ which really did make a mockery of the heroine (in my eyes) because here’s actually what she thinks long before that: ‘I’m not easy’. She sort of falls on her own sword by giving in to him. I always forget that an age gap - being older - doesn’t give a hero full right to sensibility. To begin with I’d have appreciated his dirty talking alphaness if he weren’t so unattractive in almost every other way. What I can say about Arlo though is Meghan Quinn does twist up the appeal of a cardigan-wearing hero. I don’t think I’ve read about a hero who wears one without intending to seduce, owns it and makes it a truly low-key come-hither item.
3) So, this was something that I was a bit disappointed about; there were no scenes in the book that let us into the classroom to really see the way both Arlo and Greer teach. We only hear about their methods - I was hoping it would give more weight to that particular thread in the story. To see how each teaching style was received by the students. For the same reason, I was also kind of hoping to see Greer build connections with her students so we could get a better idea of what kind of teacher she is, but there’s not really much of that going on. Even though it’s a teacher affair, I would have liked to see some teacher/student connections rather than hearing about them.
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-----------------------------------------------
'Look out, Leonardo, there’s a new Jay Gatsby in town, and he’s stealing hearts with every devastating glare.'
“God, you’re infatuated, aren’t you?” Cora asks. “The proper term would be bewitched, Coraline. Utterly bewitched.”
An enemies to lovers romance See Me After Class certainly is and a near-accurate description ‘enemies to lovers’ is of my relationship with my first Meghan Quinn romance. Perhaps ‘lovers to enemies to lovers’ is more apt but I’m going to preface this review with an honest assessment, and that’s to relay that I had a swaying, seesawing affair with this rom-com romance (all of my noted observations dovetail one and the same). When I started this book my joy was an open flame and I was fully equipped to give every inch of this top marks. I happily listened to that voice. Each page pinched a grin and lifted a laugh, each chapter dazzled and I was already developing a love for the author’s voice. In simple terms, I deeply considered my reluctance to begin this sooner. If there’s one thing so say about Meghan Quinn, she kindles an instantaneous spark. One that’s full-bellied and irresistible.
While there’s plenty to enjoy - plenty that I did enjoy I need to add - that rumbling fire did wane and wither to a collection of smaller embers for a few reasons which I’ll outline. I did debate leaving this read unfinished but in true anal-retentive fashion, I read for the triple threat of fidelity, fairness and the clarity of a full picture. And because this book demands the attention of any red-blooded romance reader. My bookish perseverance is living, breathing thing, and I’m glad that I didn’t part ways with a book that I juggled gripes with because it certainly had sparkling features. Quirky, spirited, upbeat and confident fit-for-rom-com writing leaves little to the imagination. And while I come prepped with my dislikes I’m also prepared to line up the pleasures like a set of spoils I took a shine to.
GREER: I immediately took to Quinn’s heroine; she’s fun, bold and spirited with whimsy that made think ‘OH, I’m going to like her’. The scene where she and her newly-acquired bestie have one too many drinks at Arlo’s work gathering made me truly realise that an inebriated Greer with too many flutes of bubbly in her system should be savoured. She believes in animating literature and there’s a passion and a point behind her modern, interactive teaching methods. Along with the new member of the faculty comes a fresh perspective in the classroom; a challenge to her cardigan-clad teaching neighbour. She’s very relatable and I agreed with her stance on alternative teaching; no two students learn the same way so suffice it say, teaching should vary and shouldn’t be beholden to the ‘one size fit all’ maxim. Even though Arlo was truly unamused by her entire person, I found her very amusing.
I’ll dish the gospel on Quinn’s hero but what’s crystal clear is his unmediated lack of decency and professional amiability towards Greer. While Arlo’s militant stance pushes her to play into the ‘enemies’ role by hating him and thus exacting vengeance (which he deserved and those pranks were ace), she soon melts for a man who hasn’t mouthed one good-natured word to her since her occupation at Forest Heights. Why she later succumbs to the unstable sexual pull while the enmity is still alive and kicking (and when he’s shown zero signs of esteem for her as a colleague, a person and a fellow educator) I still wonder. She admits to never turning a blind eye to Arlo’s arrogance, but that stance dissolves like a pan of overheated butter after the initial hate period. She loses the grip on her anger in situations that actually call for it, and other times, she can be as high-minded as her inflexible love interest. Ultimately I wish she’d been more exacting in a way that would’ve made Arlo stop, listen and realise his erring on the prejudiced side of first impressions.
ARLO: Before diving in, I caution fellow readers to brace themselves for a hero who’s not just brash, abrasive and eruptive, he’s frustratingly ill-disposed with an appeal that’s about as magnificent as a bar of soap. As a man, as a love interest, as a developing character and as the hero of this romance, he’s an entire process. Liking him is a process, loving him will take its time, and you’ll need to brace yourself with an armful of patience before you get there. He’s highbrow, magisterial, traditionalist and unapologetic in a way I didn’t like and his baseless prejudice for Greer felt very personal. He’s generous with insults, has double standard that involve freely dispensing his disdain but is mortally offended with any slight against him, far from shy in showering Greer with his unsweetened criticism and as the department head who’s word seems to be law, he’s downright abhorrent to the newcomer. Romance incarnate, my friends.
You can't accuse him of holding his tongue, but you also can't accuse him of using it to form a remotely warm sentence towards Greer. I was adamant that his name wouldn’t be anywhere near the list of my book boyfriends because he did and said some offensive things; his presence was an onslaught. He’s unapproachable, unfriendly and I conceded the fact that Meghan Quinn might’ve misfired with the very unromantic profiling of her hero. He did poop the party that was this romance because while I can definitely take to a flawed character, Arlo was a walking, talking gripe I wasn't sure I could recover from. That is, until, his major turning point takes place and the author gives him and his attitude a complete makeover.
A man who can barely break a smile, is humour-averse, demeaned and dwarfed Greer without an ounce of guilt and sexually manipulated her reshapes himself from a supreme, intellectualised ape to an almost regally charming man. I’m not a fan of the Mr. Darcy-type model and while I had the barest threads of sympathy for him for a solid length of the story, I really did like the Arlo he developed into in the end (may have even swooned a bit, I won’t lie), even if he became too divine and dreamy as he laid the niceties on like a fine spread. As spoken, it’s an extreme process, and it’s fair to say that when the time for his development came, the author went too hard and too fast to redeem him. He may have been as high-brow as he is emotionally unevolved, but I was also (very secretly) hoping that he’d utter the words ‘See me after class’ at least once in true Arlo fashion - I think I’m the only one with such a complaint though.
The romance and its development…
The romance in See Me After Class is a bit of a parts and stages production. The first part gets into the pedagogy feud between Arlo and Greer; he believes her teaching methods are an unseasoned, infantile fit for their high standards and harshly schools her in the failings of improper (to him) education. They clash on the premise of conflicting educational methodology (and Arlo’s notorious a**hole attitude), that’s where the hate reaches some fine and fiery notes. The outrage leads to a lot of chaffing, ridicule and derision and sharp mockery which bleeds into the unpadded chemistry of something more crudely carnal. In the final part of the book though, the romance has a very different pace and a very different flavour and that’s entirely due to Arlo’s transformation.
The smut was saucy, and while it really does steam up the spectacles, it was more steam than substance (to begin with) due to Arlo deliberately leashing any sense of intimacy). While he doesn’t think golden of the earth beneath Greer’s feet and she’s affronted by his every slant, there comes a surprising turning point; she defects. Now this turning point is essential to Arlo’s ample (though brisk and hasty) development. And for Greer to be able to reflect on what she needs from a healthy relationship, even proactively deciding upon alternative romantic options, I.e. dating someone else - not something I like usually but did encourage due to Quinn’s contemptible, tactless hero. I fully championed that decision. But back to Arlo. As problematic as I found him and his early lack of likeability, his resulting transformation was big.
I appreciate therapy being brought into the conversation (love it actually for healthy hero representation), even if I do think it’d take more than one joint tag-along session to be that self-reflective for an emotionally maladjusted person. Arlo still faced a realisation and acted. And here’s where I tug Greer back into my point because where Arlo dedicated himself to reflective awareness (which takes a willingness to change to even consider therapeutic intervention), she fails to show the same in the final act of the book. When she was challenged with her own lack of adaptability and was upset over something that seemed much more bloated than it needed to be, her failing to take ownership really hurts her own character development. And to me, that’s where her character suffered, and resultingly wastes the star-eyed, lovable act of a grand gesture on a situation that didn’t need it; and that’s hard to say as someone who loves a big, bold and meaningful show of love.
While the romance and its structure/pacing was problematic, for a sub-genre dedicated to comedic relief, I did have a lot of fun with See Me After Class; and that’s the vision with a rom-com, you want to laugh. Even though I did hope for their teaching war to have and hold a stronger developmental plotline (and outcome) of its own, I love the idea for the storyline. The pride and the prejudice might’ve made me dizzy, the story was unromantic bar the final length, Quinn somehow made me switch from Arlo-intolerant to an Arlo sympathiser and I truly do lament the fact that it was a majorly missed opportunity on Greer’s part to endanger Arlo’s cardigans, but even though I feel like I received the short end of the stick with a hero I didn’t want to commiserate with, I still found myself committed to the author’s style.
The quirky temper and the comedy relief are nodes of the narrative puzzle that alight this rom-com with a more-than-generous dose of funny. The humour brilliantly braids in a comical frame of mind and I was charged on pages dusted with it. The camaraderie is also a great feature. I loved the friendships and how involved the supporting characters were. Another strong mention: I was impressed that the represented male cohort weren’t a grotesquely debauched ring of rakes and lechers (in the present day at least). Gunner seemed driven to build a life that included his partner and child, Romeo was clearly pining over Stella and the other crossover male side characters (who I’m guessing belong to Quinn’s interconnected series) followed similarly. I’m not debauchery-averse, but I also like to see fictional men able to have ordinary conversations and who aren’t regularly waylaid by their animal mind (even if I do immensely enjoy that too).
Their small assembly mixed really well and I’d love to see more male/female friendship groups represented in romance. The author marks a flair for what I assume she hoards within her, and that is a bank of zany humour. I likely wouldn’t have chosen this as my first Meghan Quinn romance and this isn’t the welcoming introduction I was hoping for, but her writing awoke a strong appeal. This genre does seem to be Meghan Quinn’s perfect place and I’m excited to find the right fit for me. An in-the-classroom rom-com spin on the famously observed Pride and Prejudice, appropriated for the contemporary romance readership. No deeply ingrained similarities but a lot of pride and a lot of prejudice, a bow to the original tale, open-door smut scenes, an enemies with benefits teacher/teacher romp with a teaching crew, a cardigan-clad hero, a of course a hero and heroine fit to echo the disputed bad blood.
CONTENT_WARNING: Profanity. Mentions self harm (slitted wrists). Alcoholism. Abandonment. Sex scenes and smut throughout.
E X T R A_T H O U G H T S:
1) I know that this book is being described as a best friend’s bother romance, but Greer doesn’t actually meet Arlo’s sister until further into the story, so friends though they become on-page, it’s not something they are for a while. I'm not sure I’d personally give it that label; the book definitely fits the mould of a colleagues, grumpy/sunshine and enemies to lovers romance.
2) If I haven’t spoken about Arlo enough already, we’re going to take a bit of a stroll down that avenue once more. He’s very hot and cold and his moods are quite sharp and brusque. When a character processes that way, there's usually a conflict between what he actually wants and what he's willing to show, and what I find a bit dangerous about that is it can and does result in gaslighting (which also results in a lot of confusion, hurt and pain for the heroine). I can’t remember the ins and outs of their interactions precisely but Arlo does use sexual acts and behaviour to manipulate and maintain dominance over Greer, which was something I really didn’t like. He dangles the idea of pleasure (or works her up) then takes it away or gives in only on his own terms. All done to withhold any emotional side to him but it also stunts the pleasure of enjoying those scenes. Another Arlo gripe: I’m not a fan of a hero’s ‘no touching’ demand in the bedroom. Again, this was initially due to Arlo purposely upholding the power role (for his maladjusted reasons), and while he absolutely does change in almost every way and the bedroom scenes become more emotionally involved, it’s not something I enjoy. Sex scenes have a power dynamic so I like to see a heroine playing a part in that too. And I’m just finally mentioning this because I wrote about it in my notes (and I remember being a tad outraged by it too). At one point Arlo thinks the words ‘she’s so easy’ which really did make a mockery of the heroine (in my eyes) because here’s actually what she thinks long before that: ‘I’m not easy’. She sort of falls on her own sword by giving in to him. I always forget that an age gap - being older - doesn’t give a hero full right to sensibility. To begin with I’d have appreciated his dirty talking alphaness if he weren’t so unattractive in almost every other way. What I can say about Arlo though is Meghan Quinn does twist up the appeal of a cardigan-wearing hero. I don’t think I’ve read about a hero who wears one without intending to seduce, owns it and makes it a truly low-key come-hither item.
3) So, this was something that I was a bit disappointed about; there were no scenes in the book that let us into the classroom to really see the way both Arlo and Greer teach. We only hear about their methods - I was hoping it would give more weight to that particular thread in the story. To see how each teaching style was received by the students. For the same reason, I was also kind of hoping to see Greer build connections with her students so we could get a better idea of what kind of teacher she is, but there’s not really much of that going on. Even though it’s a teacher affair, I would have liked to see some teacher/student connections rather than hearing about them.
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January 2, 2022
99 cents (1/2022) https://amzn.to/352m7if
This witty Austen-esque romp by Meghan Quinn had me bewitched. Utterly bewitched.
➵ Heroine : Greer Gibson wants to make a difference through her students and is excited about her first job as both an English teacher and a volleyball coach at the most prestigious public school in the country. She never imagined she’d have to deal with a man whose stuck-up attitude makes her hate him while his elusive charm and alpha tendencies provoke unbridled lust.
➵ Hero : Arlo Turner, a.k.a. Mr. Turns Me On, the cardigan wearing arrogant and wealthy English teacher, is cut from the same prejudice cloth as Mr. Darcy. When Greer Gibson is hired as the new English teacher despite his protests, he finds her enticing and irksome at the same time. He’s complex and I loved how his character developed and grew.
➵ Plot/Pace : The animosity between Greer and Arlo starts with their very different teaching methods and is stoked when Greer decides to prank him with the help of her new teacher friends, including Arlo’s alleged best friends Gunner and Romeo. The love-hate between them was incredibly hooking and entertaining, I didn’t want to put this book down for a second.
➵ Sexiness : Eventually the passionate arguments between Arlo and Greer turn the spark into a raging inferno. They were both under each other’s spell, but it was Arlo’s domineering attitude that was burning a hole in my eReader. But can Greer get past Arlo’s walls in order to get everything she wants and deserves?
➵ Feels : Oh boy, this book me laugh, and smile and swoon. I highlighted so many parts I wish I could share, from Greer’s friends Keiko, Stella and Coraline each with their own interesting personalities, to Arlo’s friends Gunner and Romeo who again are so charming that I hope everyone gets their own book, to the incredible relationship development between Greer and Arlo. I LOVED every single minute of this story.
➵ Facts: See Me After Class is a standalone romantic comedy by author Meghan Quinn. Written if first person and told from both points of view with a happy ending. Other tropes: enemies to lovers, teacher romance, .
* I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author. The excerpts are from that copy. I am voluntarily reviewing this title. *
Amazon -> https://amzn.to/352m7if
Stalk me on FaceBook * Instagram * More reviews
This witty Austen-esque romp by Meghan Quinn had me bewitched. Utterly bewitched.
➵ Heroine : Greer Gibson wants to make a difference through her students and is excited about her first job as both an English teacher and a volleyball coach at the most prestigious public school in the country. She never imagined she’d have to deal with a man whose stuck-up attitude makes her hate him while his elusive charm and alpha tendencies provoke unbridled lust.
➵ Hero : Arlo Turner, a.k.a. Mr. Turns Me On, the cardigan wearing arrogant and wealthy English teacher, is cut from the same prejudice cloth as Mr. Darcy. When Greer Gibson is hired as the new English teacher despite his protests, he finds her enticing and irksome at the same time. He’s complex and I loved how his character developed and grew.
➵ Plot/Pace : The animosity between Greer and Arlo starts with their very different teaching methods and is stoked when Greer decides to prank him with the help of her new teacher friends, including Arlo’s alleged best friends Gunner and Romeo. The love-hate between them was incredibly hooking and entertaining, I didn’t want to put this book down for a second.
➵ Sexiness : Eventually the passionate arguments between Arlo and Greer turn the spark into a raging inferno. They were both under each other’s spell, but it was Arlo’s domineering attitude that was burning a hole in my eReader. But can Greer get past Arlo’s walls in order to get everything she wants and deserves?
➵ Feels : Oh boy, this book me laugh, and smile and swoon. I highlighted so many parts I wish I could share, from Greer’s friends Keiko, Stella and Coraline each with their own interesting personalities, to Arlo’s friends Gunner and Romeo who again are so charming that I hope everyone gets their own book, to the incredible relationship development between Greer and Arlo. I LOVED every single minute of this story.
➵ Facts: See Me After Class is a standalone romantic comedy by author Meghan Quinn. Written if first person and told from both points of view with a happy ending. Other tropes: enemies to lovers, teacher romance, .
* I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author. The excerpts are from that copy. I am voluntarily reviewing this title. *
Amazon -> https://amzn.to/352m7if
Stalk me on FaceBook * Instagram * More reviews
November 23, 2020
2.5 Stars
Overall Opinion: This felt like different books in one! Or at least different Hs!! The first part, which I found super slow and not all that engaging, was more about the H being a mega jerk and the h participating in some workplace pranks as revenge with some quirky side characters. The middle, was about the H being this dominant alpha male that did some rather kinky stuff to the h but wouldn’t let her participate/reciprocate. And then the last part was a super-fluffy-toothache-sweet-180 where the H was OTT romantic and I was left scratching my head wondering who he was. So, he went to A therapy session with his sister — what a miracle worker that therapist was! Maybe they need to be concerned about multiple personalities though 🤔 Overall, this simply didn’t work for me.
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Greer and Arlo’s story. Greer landed her first teaching job at a top school and she has to deal with the grumpy but sexy Arlo, who is her department head and makes it no secret that he doesn’t like her teaching techniques. They butt heads instantly even though they also feel a strong attraction towards one another. There are some pranks, some fun side characters, some sexy times...and they get a HFN ending.
Point Of View (POV): This alternated between Greer and Arlo’s POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Alright. This started out super slow for me. I never skimmed but I thought the overall pacing needed some work.
Instalove: No, hate to love
H (Hero) rating: 3 stars. I’m not sure what I feel about him. He felt like 3 different characters! I don’t know which one I even liked tbh.
h (heroine) rating: 3 stars. I’m not really sure how I feel about her either. She kind of had a chip on her shoulder and was hypocritical towards the H and judging his teaching techniques while saying he was doing the same. I’m not all that sure I liked her either.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: Mild
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Not really except the H is ~8 years older than the h
Closure: This was another that ended right after their conflict was resolved. While I was happy with the grovel/resolution, there still didn’t seem to be enough time before the end. The author says that there is an extended epilogue available, but I’m gonna pass. I’d call it a HFN ending
Safety: This one should be Safe for most safety gang readers
Overall Opinion: This felt like different books in one! Or at least different Hs!! The first part, which I found super slow and not all that engaging, was more about the H being a mega jerk and the h participating in some workplace pranks as revenge with some quirky side characters. The middle, was about the H being this dominant alpha male that did some rather kinky stuff to the h but wouldn’t let her participate/reciprocate. And then the last part was a super-fluffy-toothache-sweet-180 where the H was OTT romantic and I was left scratching my head wondering who he was. So, he went to A therapy session with his sister — what a miracle worker that therapist was! Maybe they need to be concerned about multiple personalities though 🤔 Overall, this simply didn’t work for me.
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Greer and Arlo’s story. Greer landed her first teaching job at a top school and she has to deal with the grumpy but sexy Arlo, who is her department head and makes it no secret that he doesn’t like her teaching techniques. They butt heads instantly even though they also feel a strong attraction towards one another. There are some pranks, some fun side characters, some sexy times...and they get a HFN ending.
Point Of View (POV): This alternated between Greer and Arlo’s POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Alright. This started out super slow for me. I never skimmed but I thought the overall pacing needed some work.
Instalove: No, hate to love
H (Hero) rating: 3 stars. I’m not sure what I feel about him. He felt like 3 different characters! I don’t know which one I even liked tbh.
h (heroine) rating: 3 stars. I’m not really sure how I feel about her either. She kind of had a chip on her shoulder and was hypocritical towards the H and judging his teaching techniques while saying he was doing the same. I’m not all that sure I liked her either.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: Mild
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Not really except the H is ~8 years older than the h
Closure: This was another that ended right after their conflict was resolved. While I was happy with the grovel/resolution, there still didn’t seem to be enough time before the end. The author says that there is an extended epilogue available, but I’m gonna pass. I’d call it a HFN ending
Safety: This one should be Safe for most safety gang readers
August 21, 2023
Still loved it on my reread
I left my 2020 review down below. The freaking banter and tension though 😮💨. Much of what I loved i still loved and it’s mentioned in my old review.
What I loved: possible spoilers
—the tension 👀. Oh LAWD. These two make tension its biiiitch 🥵. When they played pool 😮💨, when he corners her against her desk in her room 💦, when she confronts him after her student failed his paper in his AP class (that poor door didn’t see them coming 🔥), when he comes over and she changes into her pajamas 🥵 (because he seals her vibrator). Ufff
—his cockiness/alphaness
—the 🔥. Let’s see, the counter in his house 💦, her classroom desk 🥵, under her desk 👀, edging her 😅, and then, at over 80% we get the rest of it 😮💨. I love that he’s alllll about her pleasure. Plus, he’s not afraid of edging her 😉
—his obsession with eating her 🥵. He’s a giiiiiver 👏🏻💁🏻♀️
—I guess I should comment on the banter too and not just 🔥
—the 🤣. Oh god. The pranks were hilarious 🤣. The microphone and blue pee 🤣🤣🤣💀
—chaperoning together ❤️. It was a turning point for them
—the letter writing 🥰. I always love when they write letters to each other
—marriage counseling support with his sister 🫶
—when his sister Cora and Arlo are racing for his phone 🤣🤣💀
—Romeo, Gunner, and Stella betting 🤣
—how cute the grovel is 🥹. Awwww! I loved this 🥰. Pride and Prejudice and its finest ❤️
—Arlo getting jealous Greer was on a date 🤣
What I wanted more of
—more epilogues 🤣
—for Greer to make Arlo suffer more 😅🤣
2020 Review down below
My ultimate, die-hard, can’t-get-enough-of-it, favorite romance trope is enemies-to-lovers, and I’ve been reading so much this year that a lot of my top authors were recommending this book. I decided to finally take the plunge and read my first Meghan Quinn book. I am SOOOOOO glad I finally did! This was one of my top reads of 2020!!! (And I read over 200 books this year). It was sizzling hot, raw chemistry, thick rip-your-clothes off tension during heated arguments that I simply devoured and can’t get enough of! Wooo weeee was it good!! Let me get to the plot of the book!
Greer (24) interviews for a job, a job at a prestigious, top notch school that has high expectations not only of their athletic program, but especially of their academic standards. In the interview, there is a voice in the back contradicting Greer’s philosophy of teaching. She didn’t know it at the time, but that voice belonged to the hot-as-sin and grumpy-as-f Arlo (42). She gets the job and she’s excited to start the school year right- with the exception of having Arlo be her classroom wall neighbor. He’s also the head of the English department, which Greer just took a spot in (side note, I’m also an English teacher, so I was LOVING this aspect of the book 🥰👏🏻).
On the first day of school, Greer Wants to establish great rapport with her students, but by doing so, she’s being too loud for Arlo. Arlo likes the traditional teaching style of lecturing at the front of the classroom, the type of style we are mostly used to in classrooms. Whereas Greer wants to take a more modern, untraditional approach to teaching yet still wants to heavily influence her students’ perspectives, motivation, and understanding of literature and education, he wants to stick with what has been working for centuries. When he goes to her classroom at lunch to confront her, sparks start flying. I knew right then and there that I was going to be consumed by this book just by this interaction between them. They argue, they bicker, they don’t see eye-to-eye on many things, yet there is this undercurrent attraction on both ends.
OH MY GOD THE PRANKS HAD ME DYINGGGG!!! 💀😂 I was literally snorting, cackling, crying, and coughing so much from how hard I was laughing!!! I looooooved them!!!!!Omg thank you Meghan Quinn for all of this!
Back to the book... when Arlo finds out that Greer was behind the pranks, not only was he pissed off, but he was intimidating in a sexy, I’m-going-to-get-back-at-you way. When Greer confronts Arlo, he pushes back, but this time, touching is involved and his alpha, cockiness comes out in the most delicious way! He had my heart rate spiking along with Greer’s!! Whenever these two were alone, the visceral attraction between them came out and, damn, was it hot! Keep in mind, they still “hate” each other, but can’t help themselves (which is exactly what I LOOOOVE in enemies-to-lovers books!). I was panting with how 🔥🔥🔥it was! I swear, if my kindle could melt, the sexy times between these two would’ve done it!
Oh and I fell in love with all of the secondary characters! Yes the book is about Arlo and Greer but I was so invested in all the other characters. I really hope that there will be books on all of them because I will one-click so fast my wallet will not know what hit it LOL.
Arlo and Greer need to figure out what their future entails. Arlo has intimacy issues that stem from his childhood. So many things happen in this book. Ugh! I didn’t want it to end!
LOOOOVED it.
⚠️safety squad⚠️
-no cheating/sharing/owd
-mental health
-suicide attempt recounted (side character)
-mild OMD- the h goes on a date with OM. The OM also has his heart on someone else so it ends up being like a therapy session
-D/s ish
-edging/biting/dirty talk
-HEA/epilogue/extended epilogue (newsletter)
I left my 2020 review down below. The freaking banter and tension though 😮💨. Much of what I loved i still loved and it’s mentioned in my old review.
What I loved: possible spoilers
—the tension 👀. Oh LAWD. These two make tension its biiiitch 🥵. When they played pool 😮💨, when he corners her against her desk in her room 💦, when she confronts him after her student failed his paper in his AP class (that poor door didn’t see them coming 🔥), when he comes over and she changes into her pajamas 🥵 (because he seals her vibrator). Ufff
“I bit you hard enough to remind you who took you last night.”
—his cockiness/alphaness
“You are not about to go down on me in my classroom.” “Are you sure about that?” he asks, slipping my thong off before I can stop him.
“How you underestimate me, Miss Gibson. I was able to avoid your offer last night, even though my cock was aching for your lips. There’s no doubt I could edge you out, despite wanting to feel you come on my tongue again.”
—the 🔥. Let’s see, the counter in his house 💦, her classroom desk 🥵, under her desk 👀, edging her 😅, and then, at over 80% we get the rest of it 😮💨. I love that he’s alllll about her pleasure. Plus, he’s not afraid of edging her 😉
“When was the last time a man fucked you?” “I don’t know—” “Never is the correct answer, Miss Gibson. Because you’ve never been fucked by me.”
—his obsession with eating her 🥵. He’s a giiiiiver 👏🏻💁🏻♀️
”Do you want something to bite down on?” “That seems aggressive.” “You’ve never had my mouth on your pussy before.”
—I guess I should comment on the banter too and not just 🔥
—the 🤣. Oh god. The pranks were hilarious 🤣. The microphone and blue pee 🤣🤣🤣💀
—chaperoning together ❤️. It was a turning point for them
—the letter writing 🥰. I always love when they write letters to each other
—marriage counseling support with his sister 🫶
—when his sister Cora and Arlo are racing for his phone 🤣🤣💀
—Romeo, Gunner, and Stella betting 🤣
—how cute the grovel is 🥹. Awwww! I loved this 🥰. Pride and Prejudice and its finest ❤️
—Arlo getting jealous Greer was on a date 🤣
What I wanted more of
—more epilogues 🤣
—for Greer to make Arlo suffer more 😅🤣
2020 Review down below
My ultimate, die-hard, can’t-get-enough-of-it, favorite romance trope is enemies-to-lovers, and I’ve been reading so much this year that a lot of my top authors were recommending this book. I decided to finally take the plunge and read my first Meghan Quinn book. I am SOOOOOO glad I finally did! This was one of my top reads of 2020!!! (And I read over 200 books this year). It was sizzling hot, raw chemistry, thick rip-your-clothes off tension during heated arguments that I simply devoured and can’t get enough of! Wooo weeee was it good!! Let me get to the plot of the book!
Greer (24) interviews for a job, a job at a prestigious, top notch school that has high expectations not only of their athletic program, but especially of their academic standards. In the interview, there is a voice in the back contradicting Greer’s philosophy of teaching. She didn’t know it at the time, but that voice belonged to the hot-as-sin and grumpy-as-f Arlo (42). She gets the job and she’s excited to start the school year right- with the exception of having Arlo be her classroom wall neighbor. He’s also the head of the English department, which Greer just took a spot in (side note, I’m also an English teacher, so I was LOVING this aspect of the book 🥰👏🏻).
On the first day of school, Greer Wants to establish great rapport with her students, but by doing so, she’s being too loud for Arlo. Arlo likes the traditional teaching style of lecturing at the front of the classroom, the type of style we are mostly used to in classrooms. Whereas Greer wants to take a more modern, untraditional approach to teaching yet still wants to heavily influence her students’ perspectives, motivation, and understanding of literature and education, he wants to stick with what has been working for centuries. When he goes to her classroom at lunch to confront her, sparks start flying. I knew right then and there that I was going to be consumed by this book just by this interaction between them. They argue, they bicker, they don’t see eye-to-eye on many things, yet there is this undercurrent attraction on both ends.
OH MY GOD THE PRANKS HAD ME DYINGGGG!!! 💀😂 I was literally snorting, cackling, crying, and coughing so much from how hard I was laughing!!! I looooooved them!!!!!Omg thank you Meghan Quinn for all of this!
Back to the book... when Arlo finds out that Greer was behind the pranks, not only was he pissed off, but he was intimidating in a sexy, I’m-going-to-get-back-at-you way. When Greer confronts Arlo, he pushes back, but this time, touching is involved and his alpha, cockiness comes out in the most delicious way! He had my heart rate spiking along with Greer’s!! Whenever these two were alone, the visceral attraction between them came out and, damn, was it hot! Keep in mind, they still “hate” each other, but can’t help themselves (which is exactly what I LOOOOVE in enemies-to-lovers books!). I was panting with how 🔥🔥🔥it was! I swear, if my kindle could melt, the sexy times between these two would’ve done it!
Oh and I fell in love with all of the secondary characters! Yes the book is about Arlo and Greer but I was so invested in all the other characters. I really hope that there will be books on all of them because I will one-click so fast my wallet will not know what hit it LOL.
Arlo and Greer need to figure out what their future entails. Arlo has intimacy issues that stem from his childhood. So many things happen in this book. Ugh! I didn’t want it to end!
LOOOOVED it.
⚠️safety squad⚠️
-no cheating/sharing/owd
-mental health
-suicide attempt recounted (side character)
-mild OMD- the h goes on a date with OM. The OM also has his heart on someone else so it ends up being like a therapy session
-D/s ish
-edging/biting/dirty talk
-HEA/epilogue/extended epilogue (newsletter)
January 22, 2021
This cover is a travesty. I mean, what is it with men trying to button clothes that are too small for them? Also, Arlo does cardigans! This is a total missed opportunity for a cardiganed hero on the cover. What was anyone thinking in this design?!?
Okay, with that out of my system, on to the story. This was a complicated read for me as I swung to some extremes while reading. The hate relationship at the start made Arlo highly unsympathetic and I kind of hated him nearly as much as Greer did. But then Greer starts pranking him and I laughed out loud a couple of times. But even better is that it served to humanize him, not least through his friends (who ended up joining with Greer in her pranks). Indeed, that friend dynamic (including the friends Greer had made) was excellent and helped draw me into the story. Mostly. I mean, Keiko was a travesty of the "smart person" trope. Over-convoluted sentences crafted by selecting the synonyms with the most syllables doesn't say "smart person" to me so much as "author trying too hard without knowing any actual smart people".
And then we have a couple of mostly-sex scenes before the midway point and they were... problematic. Lacking intimacy. Explicitly lacking intimacy because Arlo is deliberately withholding affection because he's a giant turd packed full of the negative motivation* of the "I don't know how to trust because my upbringing sucked" style. And I was very nearly just done with the stupidity when something magic happened. Greer totally stood up for herself and let him know that she wasn't up for that kind of crap and broke it off. This was completely outstanding and I loved every minute of the resulting fallout. I loved that she proactively sought other avenues toward relationships. And I loved that this put Arlo in a productive tailspin where he actually sought help (starting with talking with his sister and attending a therapy session with her and actually following up on the suggested follow-up course).
And that was beyond awesome and I was wondering if I could justify five stars with how awkward the start was and only a bit of a niggle that we still had a fifth or so to go when the "I love you" happened. And then a dark moment blew up from a timebomb we hadn't known had happened. So blindsided by a dark moment, if you will. And that sucked again. And the thing is, it made sense and was totally justified emotionally. Unfortunately, it doesn't hold together rationally, a fact pointed out and agreed to by everyone individually but in private. So holding onto the emotional fallout in the face of better understanding after the initial crash was a bit manufactured. Like, staying apart after you've had a chance to process and understand better doesn't work for me. So forcing a grand gesture before reconciliation felt like manipulation and, frankly, unfair for the party having to pull a grand gesture out of their hat. And it doesn't help that the grand gesture was professionally disruptive in ways that, while cute, wouldn't have flown very well for any rational outside observer (of which there were plenty who probably should have made their disapprobation felt).
So I'm very torn on how to rate this. There were some really outstanding moments and I don't want to ignore those. But the pain was non-trivial, as well. In the end, I'm going to go with 3½ stars that I'm going to round down with trepidation and a little regret. The fact is that I'm not actually interested in picking up other books by the author unless there are other reviews I trust that recommend them first.
A note about non-series story tie-ins: This author obviously loves pulling couples from previous books into other stories that are only tangentially related. I hate that a little bit, but it only becomes a real bother when they come in with a wink-wink by the author that implies you should know these people and don't you wish you had read the other book first so you could properly enjoy their inclusion now?!? Well, Quinn doesn't so much do a wink-wink as she does a shove with a neon sign saying "hah! Don't you wish you knew these people, you clueless dork!" So that's probably a factor in my inability to round up on my rating and an even bigger factor in my disinterest in picking up other books by the author.
A note about Steamy: There are maybe a half-dozen explicit sex scenes putting this in the higher side of my steam tolerance. They're really good at placing the intimate/emotional arc of the couple so that's well-done, even if I didn't like the first few much (despite how hot they were).
* Negative Motivations: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. Jennifer Crusie blogged about it a bit back (or, if that link doesn't work, here's a cache of the original) and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations not to do something. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that in a story motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they do care and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.
Okay, with that out of my system, on to the story. This was a complicated read for me as I swung to some extremes while reading. The hate relationship at the start made Arlo highly unsympathetic and I kind of hated him nearly as much as Greer did. But then Greer starts pranking him and I laughed out loud a couple of times. But even better is that it served to humanize him, not least through his friends (who ended up joining with Greer in her pranks). Indeed, that friend dynamic (including the friends Greer had made) was excellent and helped draw me into the story. Mostly. I mean, Keiko was a travesty of the "smart person" trope. Over-convoluted sentences crafted by selecting the synonyms with the most syllables doesn't say "smart person" to me so much as "author trying too hard without knowing any actual smart people".
And then we have a couple of mostly-sex scenes before the midway point and they were... problematic. Lacking intimacy. Explicitly lacking intimacy because Arlo is deliberately withholding affection because he's a giant turd packed full of the negative motivation* of the "I don't know how to trust because my upbringing sucked" style. And I was very nearly just done with the stupidity when something magic happened. Greer totally stood up for herself and let him know that she wasn't up for that kind of crap and broke it off. This was completely outstanding and I loved every minute of the resulting fallout. I loved that she proactively sought other avenues toward relationships. And I loved that this put Arlo in a productive tailspin where he actually sought help (starting with talking with his sister and attending a therapy session with her and actually following up on the suggested follow-up course).
And that was beyond awesome and I was wondering if I could justify five stars with how awkward the start was and only a bit of a niggle that we still had a fifth or so to go when the "I love you" happened. And then a dark moment blew up from a timebomb we hadn't known had happened. So blindsided by a dark moment, if you will. And that sucked again. And the thing is, it made sense and was totally justified emotionally. Unfortunately, it doesn't hold together rationally, a fact pointed out and agreed to by everyone individually but in private. So holding onto the emotional fallout in the face of better understanding after the initial crash was a bit manufactured. Like, staying apart after you've had a chance to process and understand better doesn't work for me. So forcing a grand gesture before reconciliation felt like manipulation and, frankly, unfair for the party having to pull a grand gesture out of their hat. And it doesn't help that the grand gesture was professionally disruptive in ways that, while cute, wouldn't have flown very well for any rational outside observer (of which there were plenty who probably should have made their disapprobation felt).
So I'm very torn on how to rate this. There were some really outstanding moments and I don't want to ignore those. But the pain was non-trivial, as well. In the end, I'm going to go with 3½ stars that I'm going to round down with trepidation and a little regret. The fact is that I'm not actually interested in picking up other books by the author unless there are other reviews I trust that recommend them first.
A note about non-series story tie-ins: This author obviously loves pulling couples from previous books into other stories that are only tangentially related. I hate that a little bit, but it only becomes a real bother when they come in with a wink-wink by the author that implies you should know these people and don't you wish you had read the other book first so you could properly enjoy their inclusion now?!? Well, Quinn doesn't so much do a wink-wink as she does a shove with a neon sign saying "hah! Don't you wish you knew these people, you clueless dork!" So that's probably a factor in my inability to round up on my rating and an even bigger factor in my disinterest in picking up other books by the author.
A note about Steamy: There are maybe a half-dozen explicit sex scenes putting this in the higher side of my steam tolerance. They're really good at placing the intimate/emotional arc of the couple so that's well-done, even if I didn't like the first few much (despite how hot they were).
* Negative Motivations: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. Jennifer Crusie blogged about it a bit back (or, if that link doesn't work, here's a cache of the original) and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations not to do something. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that in a story motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they do care and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.
February 8, 2021
POV: First Person - Dual
AGE: Greer Gibson - 24, Arlo Turner - 32.
PUBLISHED: November 12, 2020
SETTING: Chicago, Illinois.
You know those books where the precis gets you really excited and the beginning is so great, you think you're really gonna love them? But soon, that magic wears off, the dialogue gets repetitive and the interactions of the main characters which were once funny and snarky turn bland and just become meh, and all this time you're really thinking about how there are so many other books on your tbr you'd rather be reading and why you're forcing yourself to continue this one when you KNOW it's just gonna be an average read.
See Me After Class was that book for me. It had me really excited, it's written by Meghan Quinn and I loved her book Boss Man Bridegroom and I've got three other books from her in my tbr-pile.
Greer and Arlo undoubtedly had my attention at the start, they were both steadfast in their believes, their interactions were snarky and their banter was fun. But slowly and gradually, sometime after Greer's pranks (which were really immature - just because Arlo called on her for creating disruption for his class and she WAS disturbing the other students, she had to retaliate through these stupid pranks? Not really ideal teacher behavior) and the pool table scene, I lost interest in both of them. Arlo completely changed his personality. He went from can't-stand-the-sight-of-Greer to whispering-sweet-nothings-in-her-ear. Hey, that rhymed. Plus, he called his students teenage pukes and morons (not in front of them, but still). Both Arlo and Greer couldn't hold my attention.
But the book wasn't all meh. Their sweet interactions had my heart melting and Romeo and Gunner were just plain hilarious. Their camaraderie was the biggest highlight for me. The ending was great. Arlo sweeps Greer off her feet, Mr. Darcy style and they hash out their problems and go back to square one - dating. So a HFN ending but I honestly preferred it. Going straight to marriage and babies would've felt more unrealistic after the epic showdown.
Meghan Quinn's writing is flawless, there's no doubt. I just wanted more from the story, more from Greer and Arlo.
January 1, 2021
See Me After Class is bit flat for Miss Quinn. I as always expecting slow burn, rom com and hilarious banter. While Miss Quinn packs her signature writing into this book, somehow it is lack luster.
I can not get the chemistry between Greene and Arno. With Arno as super closed off hero, it became really hard to feel the chemistry. The prank is funny though.
Anyway, this is an OK read. Closed off for 2020.
3 stars
I can not get the chemistry between Greene and Arno. With Arno as super closed off hero, it became really hard to feel the chemistry. The prank is funny though.
Anyway, this is an OK read. Closed off for 2020.
3 stars
November 22, 2020
She broke up with him just because he was doing his job!!
She was so selfish and refused to acknowledge the criticisms about her teaching method
AND THEN the hero was the one who chased after her and apologised
What message does this send?? That if you are working together and married then you get preferential treatment even if you are bad at your job??!!
Seriously...where have the smart romances gone...I feel like I read 1 out of every 300 books that are true romances that you root for and the rest are "filler"
She was so selfish and refused to acknowledge the criticisms about her teaching method
AND THEN the hero was the one who chased after her and apologised
What message does this send?? That if you are working together and married then you get preferential treatment even if you are bad at your job??!!
Seriously...where have the smart romances gone...I feel like I read 1 out of every 300 books that are true romances that you root for and the rest are "filler"
January 12, 2021
4.5 stars.
That’s how to do an enemies-to-lovers and totally win me over.
God bless chemistry.”
That’s how to do an enemies-to-lovers and totally win me over.
God bless chemistry.”
Read
January 27, 20222.5✨
”I’m heading out.”
“Going to go buy your first-day-of-school cardigan?”
“Do you really think I’d wait until the day before to purchase something so important?”
huh. a man w cardigan can actually be attractive. who woulda thought. anyway ive got nothing bad to say, just that it couldnt hold my attention, nothing new. the immature pranks were where i lost my interest
”I’m heading out.”
“Going to go buy your first-day-of-school cardigan?”
“Do you really think I’d wait until the day before to purchase something so important?”
huh. a man w cardigan can actually be attractive. who woulda thought. anyway ive got nothing bad to say, just that it couldnt hold my attention, nothing new. the immature pranks were where i lost my interest
December 12, 2020
*****4.5 STARS*****
November 14, 2020
FIVE FUNNY STARS for Greer and Arlo ❤💖❤💖!!!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I thought I would never like Meghan's book that doesn't follow very well-known Meghan's baseball players, but I have to admit that I wrong.
Meghan proved that no matter what genre or trope she wrote, her humor, and sense of well-thought-out and interesting storyline is always present in her books.
"See Me After Class" is a romantic comedy book with brother's best friend and enemies to lovers tropes.
Greer and Arlo's relationship is everything!
At first, they hated each other, but over time everything changed and their chemistry became stronger.
If you're looking for a good romantic comedy to make you laugh a lot and you also love Meghan's writing style, then this is the book for you!!!
Highly recommended!!!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I thought I would never like Meghan's book that doesn't follow very well-known Meghan's baseball players, but I have to admit that I wrong.
Meghan proved that no matter what genre or trope she wrote, her humor, and sense of well-thought-out and interesting storyline is always present in her books.
"See Me After Class" is a romantic comedy book with brother's best friend and enemies to lovers tropes.
Greer and Arlo's relationship is everything!
At first, they hated each other, but over time everything changed and their chemistry became stronger.
If you're looking for a good romantic comedy to make you laugh a lot and you also love Meghan's writing style, then this is the book for you!!!
Highly recommended!!!
March 12, 2022
Please don't take this rating seriously
It's just one of those times that you say "it's me, not the book". There were parts that I liked but overall it couldn't hold my interest and I skimmed some parts.
Keiko got me so exhausted and mad with her choice of words and Greer (h) annoyed me when she pulled those pranks to Arlo (H). It's not that he didn't deserve it but it was too childish in my opinion.
Maybe the timing wasn't right but I didn't enjoy this book and I pushed myself to finish it (I even struggled to reach the 50% mark). 2 ⭐
January 2, 2021
A quick and funny read. The romance was a bit underdeveloped for my taste and some of the jokes gave me second hand embarrassment. The hero was too much of an asshole for me and it didn't seem like he had a legitimate reason for being one. The secondary characters were strong but some were very cringe.
As a teacher myself, I also had my reservations over the way they critiqued each other's teaching styles .
Overall, it was a fun read.
Rating: 3/5
As a teacher myself, I also had my reservations over the way they critiqued each other's teaching styles .
Overall, it was a fun read.
Rating: 3/5
November 9, 2020
My Rating: 5 Stars
Genre Enemies to Lovers | Co-Workers | Romantic Comedy
Meghan Quinn delivers the belly laughs in her latest release, See Me After Class! This was such a FUN book to read. Not only does the story feature two brand new characters, but she also brings back fan favorites from her other series! I loved “seeing” some of my favorite ball players make an appearance in this one. I’m hoping some of them even get their own HEA’s! I think many readers will agree with me.
SEE ME AFTER CLASS is an enemies-to-lovers, co-workers (both are teachers), romantic comedy. Arlo is one heck of a GRUMPY HERO and watching him slowly come out of his funk was amazing. Meghan brought a lot of depth to his character. He has a reason for his grumpy behavior (along with his inability to be intimate with another person) but when he realizes it’s not the way to live, he goes from Grinch to Mr. Charmer. I loved it to pieces! Seeing character growth is really important to me as a reader and it become one of my favorite parts of this story. I mean really, who doesn’t like to see a total grump be won over by a feisty heroine!?!
Greer is AMAZING. She’s such a fun character and I love how her sweet and breezy demeanor had an effect on everyone she befriended (especially the mean teacher who has it out for her!). She’s a feisty character with a lot of sass and I related to her on so many levels. I loved the pranks she pulled, and the way she demanded respect from those around her. She was certainly an easy one to fall in love with. Sigh… I just finished the book and I miss her already.
If you’re looking for a funny novel about two characters who couldn’t be more different from one another then look no further. This is the book for you! It’s one of my favorite reads of November.
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre Enemies to Lovers | Co-Workers | Romantic Comedy
Meghan Quinn delivers the belly laughs in her latest release, See Me After Class! This was such a FUN book to read. Not only does the story feature two brand new characters, but she also brings back fan favorites from her other series! I loved “seeing” some of my favorite ball players make an appearance in this one. I’m hoping some of them even get their own HEA’s! I think many readers will agree with me.
SEE ME AFTER CLASS is an enemies-to-lovers, co-workers (both are teachers), romantic comedy. Arlo is one heck of a GRUMPY HERO and watching him slowly come out of his funk was amazing. Meghan brought a lot of depth to his character. He has a reason for his grumpy behavior (along with his inability to be intimate with another person) but when he realizes it’s not the way to live, he goes from Grinch to Mr. Charmer. I loved it to pieces! Seeing character growth is really important to me as a reader and it become one of my favorite parts of this story. I mean really, who doesn’t like to see a total grump be won over by a feisty heroine!?!
Greer is AMAZING. She’s such a fun character and I love how her sweet and breezy demeanor had an effect on everyone she befriended (especially the mean teacher who has it out for her!). She’s a feisty character with a lot of sass and I related to her on so many levels. I loved the pranks she pulled, and the way she demanded respect from those around her. She was certainly an easy one to fall in love with. Sigh… I just finished the book and I miss her already.
If you’re looking for a funny novel about two characters who couldn’t be more different from one another then look no further. This is the book for you! It’s one of my favorite reads of November.
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
February 11, 2024
I'm dying!!! Seriously, dying from laughter 😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 I love this book beyond words. Never have I laughed more. I think I also loved it so much because it felt like a modern-day Pride and Prejudice!! And who doesn't love Pride and Prejudice??! This is the first book I immediately wanted to re-read immediately after finishing it. Lol
Dear God, this book is hot, funny, and EVERYTHING I need right now!!! Arlo is so sexy and sounds like the perfect Mr. Darcy .. Greer Gibson—twenty-four-year-old fresh to the teaching scene as Forest Heights’s new English teacher and women’s volleyball coach.
Chapter 6 😂😂😂😂😂
Chapter 12 😱🔥🔥🔥🔥😍
Chapter 24---
**“Not really, I can still offer up kin—God, that feels like something Keeks would say.”😂😂😂
**“What?” Cora snaps. “I thought I was the only one who knew. Does this mean I don’t get something sparkly?”😅😅😅
**Cora trails behind, and before she’s out the door, she says, “I’m okay with the kissing. Does that get me something sparkly?”🤣🤣🤣
Chapter 27 - Mr. Darcy. “I’m afraid I’m going to have to go, Mr. Darcy on her . . . and I need your help.”🤗🤗🤗
Chapter 28 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
Friends ...
Keiko “Keeks” Seymour—resident AP chemistry teacher at Forest Heights High School. The perfect robot 🤖
Stella Garcia—Spanish teacher at Forest Heights and my co-coach. Currently single, makes the best tamales I’ve ever had, and is one stamp away from getting a free donut at Frankie Donuts.
Coraline “Cora” Turner—recent divorcée and living with her brother, Arlo.
“You can’t sleep here.” “Why? Is this your bed?” I ask, eyes still closed. “We could make room for you.” I pat the small space behind my rear end. “See, right here. Take a seat.” 😂😂😂😂
#Favorite2024Read
Dear God, this book is hot, funny, and EVERYTHING I need right now!!! Arlo is so sexy and sounds like the perfect Mr. Darcy .. Greer Gibson—twenty-four-year-old fresh to the teaching scene as Forest Heights’s new English teacher and women’s volleyball coach.
Chapter 6 😂😂😂😂😂
Chapter 12 😱🔥🔥🔥🔥😍
Chapter 24---
**“Not really, I can still offer up kin—God, that feels like something Keeks would say.”😂😂😂
**“What?” Cora snaps. “I thought I was the only one who knew. Does this mean I don’t get something sparkly?”😅😅😅
**Cora trails behind, and before she’s out the door, she says, “I’m okay with the kissing. Does that get me something sparkly?”🤣🤣🤣
Chapter 27 - Mr. Darcy. “I’m afraid I’m going to have to go, Mr. Darcy on her . . . and I need your help.”🤗🤗🤗
Chapter 28 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
Friends ...
Keiko “Keeks” Seymour—resident AP chemistry teacher at Forest Heights High School. The perfect robot 🤖
Stella Garcia—Spanish teacher at Forest Heights and my co-coach. Currently single, makes the best tamales I’ve ever had, and is one stamp away from getting a free donut at Frankie Donuts.
Coraline “Cora” Turner—recent divorcée and living with her brother, Arlo.
“You can’t sleep here.” “Why? Is this your bed?” I ask, eyes still closed. “We could make room for you.” I pat the small space behind my rear end. “See, right here. Take a seat.” 😂😂😂😂
#Favorite2024Read
January 11, 2022
This book is JOY.
These characters are JOY.
This storyline is JOY.
Every word is JOY.
Find out more about this JOY ➡ http://omgreads.com/see-me-after-class-by-meghan-quinn-2
Let me tell you guys, See Me After Class is a top of a top of a top read right now. My review is ridiculous because it just says the book is JOY and go read it, but it is important people understand, sometimes, less is more. This is 2020. When I say something is JOY, you’d best believe it is all that and a bag of Lay’s Lightly Salted Barbecue chips. So, I need millions of people to experience this JOY because 2020 has been a joy sucker thus far and I am DONE with that. Meghan Quinn has done her part by writing the story now you do your part ... ⬇⬇⬇⬇ Grab your copy TODAY or read with Kindle Unlimited!!
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2HFsZZT
Amazon UK: htps://amzn.to/3mscNK5
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/3kBmwgS
Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/3kzZKGf
DO.IT.
Seriously.
These characters are JOY.
This storyline is JOY.
Every word is JOY.
Find out more about this JOY ➡ http://omgreads.com/see-me-after-class-by-meghan-quinn-2
Let me tell you guys, See Me After Class is a top of a top of a top read right now. My review is ridiculous because it just says the book is JOY and go read it, but it is important people understand, sometimes, less is more. This is 2020. When I say something is JOY, you’d best believe it is all that and a bag of Lay’s Lightly Salted Barbecue chips. So, I need millions of people to experience this JOY because 2020 has been a joy sucker thus far and I am DONE with that. Meghan Quinn has done her part by writing the story now you do your part ... ⬇⬇⬇⬇ Grab your copy TODAY or read with Kindle Unlimited!!
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2HFsZZT
Amazon UK: htps://amzn.to/3mscNK5
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/3kBmwgS
Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/3kzZKGf
DO.IT.
Seriously.
April 19, 2021
This is my first book by Meghan Quinn and although it was entertaining and funny, I never fully felt invested in the characters or story. I really enjoyed all the nods and similarities to Pride and Prejudice, but the chemistry between Arlo and Greer fell a bit flat for me. Their transition from enemies to lovers didn't feel natural and I wasn't a fan of Arlo's repeated hot and cold behavior. I was really happy to see Greer voice her wishes and concerns, but Arlo's 180 didn't feel realistic. I will say their sexy times were very steamy though and I wasn't expecting Arlo to be such a dirty talker and exhibitionist ;) The drama (and grand gesture) at the end was well done and I liked that the epilogue didn't have them falling right back into step with each other. It basically outlined the gradual progression of their relationship that I felt was missing from the actual story.
I think the best part of the book for me was the male and female friendships. The bromance between the guys was great with all their ribbing and the Ladies in Heat book club was hilarious. The secondary characters were all a lot of fun and even though Keiko felt over the top most of the time, she also brought some great comic relief. I'm curious to see how things will turn out for Stella and Romeo in the next book.
CW: mentions of attempted suicide and self harm (cutting), parental abandonment
I think the best part of the book for me was the male and female friendships. The bromance between the guys was great with all their ribbing and the Ladies in Heat book club was hilarious. The secondary characters were all a lot of fun and even though Keiko felt over the top most of the time, she also brought some great comic relief. I'm curious to see how things will turn out for Stella and Romeo in the next book.
CW: mentions of attempted suicide and self harm (cutting), parental abandonment
December 2, 2020
I love Meghan Quinn’s writing, and for that reason alone I decided to keep the faith and continue reading this one—even though I found the hero, English teacher Arlo Turner, hugely unlikable through at least half the book.
Very pompous hero, with a huge stick up his butt. I though surely there must be a very good reason for his attitude? Meh, not really. I mean there was a reason...but jeez.
What saved the book for me was the heroine, first year English teacher Greer, her friends (although I found her fellow teacher Keiko more than a little...strange?) and the two male friends (their names escape me now) that Arlo managed to have. Their antics were often hilarious.
I’ll have to give credit to Greer for sticking it out with Arlo and persisting on cracking his walls. I think I would’ve given up on him in a week, no matter how hot he was.
And I’ll admit when he finally became human I even grew to like him. Credit to the author there for turning things around.
Not my favorite story from MQ, but I’m a sucker for her writing style.
A feeling generous 4 stars
Very pompous hero, with a huge stick up his butt. I though surely there must be a very good reason for his attitude? Meh, not really. I mean there was a reason...but jeez.
What saved the book for me was the heroine, first year English teacher Greer, her friends (although I found her fellow teacher Keiko more than a little...strange?) and the two male friends (their names escape me now) that Arlo managed to have. Their antics were often hilarious.
I’ll have to give credit to Greer for sticking it out with Arlo and persisting on cracking his walls. I think I would’ve given up on him in a week, no matter how hot he was.
And I’ll admit when he finally became human I even grew to like him. Credit to the author there for turning things around.
Not my favorite story from MQ, but I’m a sucker for her writing style.
A feeling generous 4 stars
November 14, 2020
Everything in this book felt so...forced. The hero was a jerk totally randomly (considering it was just a single interaction that caused him to do so). The heroine seemed like she was spunky and outspoken at first, but then randomly turned out to melt for him at every single interaction? Where did all her confidence from the interview go? It felt like I was seeing a completely different character's story unfold. Idk, their whole chemistry seemed so forced. And what was that stupid fight at the pool-game -scene? She seriously couldn't take a loss? She came off looking like a 15 yo, which I didn't expect at ALL.
I also didn't really like the side-characters, I felt like they were merely pale imitations of similar tropes for side-characters I've read before (the nerdy sidekick & the outgoing sidekick for the heroine; the two-stooges sidekicks of the uptight hero). Overall, I had higher expectations from reading the synopsis, and the book definitely didn't live upto it.
I also didn't really like the side-characters, I felt like they were merely pale imitations of similar tropes for side-characters I've read before (the nerdy sidekick & the outgoing sidekick for the heroine; the two-stooges sidekicks of the uptight hero). Overall, I had higher expectations from reading the synopsis, and the book definitely didn't live upto it.
March 16, 2022
Hi, welcome to my review! Well, okay welcome to my rant actually. But you’ve been warned.
I liked the premise of this book and the whole sexy power play concept, but not liking any of the characters kind of ruined everything.
Main complaint 1: Ohhhhh my lord Keiko is the most annoying caricature of a nerd I’ve ever read. Has MQ ever met one? I think the character is supposed to be neurodivergent but I wasn’t clear on that. If she is, then that also rubbed me the wrong way because it felt like a stereotype. At least she’s a secondary character so it isn’t a constant thing, but it got to the point where I had to skim past her “I’m a human Wikipedia who rambles” dialogue, because it was so annoying and took me out of the story.
Main complaint 2: Greer *should* have been fired. (I’m not saying if it happens or not, just that people repeatedly defend her efforts and intentions and they shouldn’t be). I was hoping that would happen, even though she’s the protagonist. She didn’t even seem to like literature, we are just told the lit she does like falls under the genre of romance novels. I also can’t believe she s*t talks classic literature in her interview, especially in a supposedly prestigious school when this is her first job out of student teaching. She just felt like a coach to me who cares about volleyball with no passion for English lit, but even that didn’t feel super authentic.
The pranks were so unprofessional (and not even funny), especially directed at the head of her department. And I’m not a teacher, but um…instructing the students to read through Cliff notes and playing movies? Her methods seem like trash.
Random aside: Some of the comments Coraline (also, lol at that name) makes to her brother about sex were over the line and gross. As someone who has a brother, it made me so deeply uncomfortable and skeeved out.
I liked A Not So Meet Cute a lot, so I’m hoping this is just an outlier and I’ll like the next one better.
I liked the premise of this book and the whole sexy power play concept, but not liking any of the characters kind of ruined everything.
Main complaint 1: Ohhhhh my lord Keiko is the most annoying caricature of a nerd I’ve ever read. Has MQ ever met one? I think the character is supposed to be neurodivergent but I wasn’t clear on that. If she is, then that also rubbed me the wrong way because it felt like a stereotype. At least she’s a secondary character so it isn’t a constant thing, but it got to the point where I had to skim past her “I’m a human Wikipedia who rambles” dialogue, because it was so annoying and took me out of the story.
Main complaint 2: Greer *should* have been fired. (I’m not saying if it happens or not, just that people repeatedly defend her efforts and intentions and they shouldn’t be). I was hoping that would happen, even though she’s the protagonist. She didn’t even seem to like literature, we are just told the lit she does like falls under the genre of romance novels. I also can’t believe she s*t talks classic literature in her interview, especially in a supposedly prestigious school when this is her first job out of student teaching. She just felt like a coach to me who cares about volleyball with no passion for English lit, but even that didn’t feel super authentic.
The pranks were so unprofessional (and not even funny), especially directed at the head of her department. And I’m not a teacher, but um…instructing the students to read through Cliff notes and playing movies? Her methods seem like trash.
Random aside: Some of the comments Coraline (also, lol at that name) makes to her brother about sex were over the line and gross. As someone who has a brother, it made me so deeply uncomfortable and skeeved out.
I liked A Not So Meet Cute a lot, so I’m hoping this is just an outlier and I’ll like the next one better.
April 25, 2021
When new English teacher Greer Gibson is hired at Forest Heights High School, head of the English department, Arlo Turner, is far from happy about it. He doesn’t like that this is her first teaching job. He doesn’t like her proposed teaching ideas. And he definitely doesn’t like how drop-dead gorgeous she is. She’s trouble and Arlo immediately hates her.
Greer seems to make fast-friends with everyone except Arlo so when she learns he hates her without even speaking more than 2 words to her, she enlists her new friends on campus to help prank Arlo. It doesn’t take Arlo long to figure out who’s behind the devious pranks and from then on out, it’s war between Greer & Arlo.
But somewhere amongst the mutual loathing, there’s undeniable attraction. And before long, Greer & Arlo can’t keep their hands off each other—in and out of the classroom. Now Greer & Arlo have to navigate their feelings for one another while keeping their hookups a secret from the rest of the school. Life at Forest Heights just got a whole lot more complicated...
See Me After Class is Meghan Quinn’s latest standalone rom-com. This had 2 tropes I’m a sucker for—enemies to lovers & coworker romance. I loved this book so much! It was hilarious. The banter between Arlo & Greer was fire and I couldn’t get enough of their sexual chemistry. Greer is a strong-willed woman and I was all here for it. I liked seeing her put stick-up-his-butt Arlo in his place. But I also enjoyed seeing Arlo break down his falls to fight for a one in a lifetime love. This romance is a little on the long side at over 400 pages, but if you’re willing to invest the time, this one is totally worth it. 5/5 stars.
Greer seems to make fast-friends with everyone except Arlo so when she learns he hates her without even speaking more than 2 words to her, she enlists her new friends on campus to help prank Arlo. It doesn’t take Arlo long to figure out who’s behind the devious pranks and from then on out, it’s war between Greer & Arlo.
But somewhere amongst the mutual loathing, there’s undeniable attraction. And before long, Greer & Arlo can’t keep their hands off each other—in and out of the classroom. Now Greer & Arlo have to navigate their feelings for one another while keeping their hookups a secret from the rest of the school. Life at Forest Heights just got a whole lot more complicated...
See Me After Class is Meghan Quinn’s latest standalone rom-com. This had 2 tropes I’m a sucker for—enemies to lovers & coworker romance. I loved this book so much! It was hilarious. The banter between Arlo & Greer was fire and I couldn’t get enough of their sexual chemistry. Greer is a strong-willed woman and I was all here for it. I liked seeing her put stick-up-his-butt Arlo in his place. But I also enjoyed seeing Arlo break down his falls to fight for a one in a lifetime love. This romance is a little on the long side at over 400 pages, but if you’re willing to invest the time, this one is totally worth it. 5/5 stars.
January 11, 2021
Okay... this one was a rollercoaster for me.
Really, really was loving the first half of the book. I was chuckling at the prank war and fanning myself at the steamy stuff. AND THEN, we hit the point when both the H and h decided they were gonna basically start all over and this time, they were going to be super saccharine with each other because they *gasp* suddenly realized they had real feelings for one another. Then, it just got boring. Like, really really boring. Reading about their heart eyes for each other and blah, blah. And, of course, we had to break the boring toward the end by manufacturing a ridiculous drama that really shouldn't have been drama at all. I'm sorry, but our h was acting like an absolute child. At this point, I wasn't even rooting for them to get back together because, quite frankly, I thought he dodged a bullet. The saving grace to the ending of this book was how the H won her heart back. Because *swoon*... I love me some Fitzwilliam Darcy.
3 stars because half the book was great and for the Pride & Prejudice ending.
Really, really was loving the first half of the book. I was chuckling at the prank war and fanning myself at the steamy stuff. AND THEN, we hit the point when both the H and h decided they were gonna basically start all over and this time, they were going to be super saccharine with each other because they *gasp* suddenly realized they had real feelings for one another. Then, it just got boring. Like, really really boring. Reading about their heart eyes for each other and blah, blah. And, of course, we had to break the boring toward the end by manufacturing a ridiculous drama that really shouldn't have been drama at all. I'm sorry, but our h was acting like an absolute child. At this point, I wasn't even rooting for them to get back together because, quite frankly, I thought he dodged a bullet. The saving grace to the ending of this book was how the H won her heart back. Because *swoon*... I love me some Fitzwilliam Darcy.
3 stars because half the book was great and for the Pride & Prejudice ending.
November 15, 2020
Well, that was a shit storm.
I’d like to note that the writing was good and the h was pretty great for a 24year old. Other than that, it was all crap.
I am a high school teacher, I was upset and disgusted how the H was taking about his students(morons, puke, ect), the way he behaved to his colleagues, and how, truly there was no traits of him I could like.
What he did to Greer was an absolute professional betrayal and backstabbing and I personally would never forgive anyone who’d do this.
I’d like to note that the writing was good and the h was pretty great for a 24year old. Other than that, it was all crap.
I am a high school teacher, I was upset and disgusted how the H was taking about his students(morons, puke, ect), the way he behaved to his colleagues, and how, truly there was no traits of him I could like.
What he did to Greer was an absolute professional betrayal and backstabbing and I personally would never forgive anyone who’d do this.
November 21, 2020
*4.5 Stars!*
This book had no right being as funny, as sexy and as sweet as it fucking was. 😭💕
This book had no right being as funny, as sexy and as sweet as it fucking was. 😭💕
March 13, 2021
It‘s a teacher/teacher Pride and Prejudice retelling I stumbled across 😍 If you can oversee some scenes with dubious consent and that the relationship relies heavenly on physical attraction, this one is really hot!
November 13, 2020
hi, my name is zaraa, and one thing to know about me is that i'm a sucker for bestfriend's brother/ brother's bestfriend trope even though it is rarely liked by the general public.
i think this was the first official book that i read by Meghan Quinn which I actually ended up enjoying and loving. i have to be honest, i have tried reading her books before, but i have always ended up putting them away because of the tacky covers. the covers for her books just don't do it for me, however the premise of this book sounded interesting to me especially after i found out that it had best friend's brother trope— yeah, i finally gave in and tried to ignore the cover.
See Me After Class turned out to be surprisingly such a fun read because it had a lot of the elements that iM a huge sucker for like if you give me any of these elements that iM about to mention, in a book, then iM a goner. not going to lie, this book turned out to be that christmas present you find under your tree that's small and goes easily unnoticed at first, but when you open it, it just gives you a whole different kind of pleasure and happy smiles.
Arlo and Greer's story was rivals to lovers romance with chemistry and banter that had equal amounts of sweet & spice. Also, the book had such a great and soft friendship between both the boys and the girls, plus the boys especially Romeo were such dumbasses like i love idiots?! The secondary characters: Stella, Cora, Keiko, Gunner, and Romeo all had different personalities, but all of them made the story so humorous and just so cozy.
and, now iM actually looking forward to the next book of the series which is most likely going to be Stella and Romeo's: let's go friends to lovers with lots of aaaaangst and Romeo being a dumbass, please.
p.s. just loved the fact how this book was almost a modern day retelling of any Jane Austen novel mostly the Pride & Prejudice because any book with the elements of P & P is bound to be good.
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