Reviewed by Roberta

TITLE: Love Lessons Learned

SERIES: Love Lessons Learned #1

AUTHOR: K. C. Wells

PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press

LENGTH: 286 pages

RATING:

BLURB:

John Wainwright is having a momentous day. To start off, he lands his first teaching job. Then his brother, Evan, and Evan’s husband, Daniel, take him out to celebrate in Manchester’s gay village. An encounter with a sexy man forces John to admit what he’s been denying for too long—he’s gay. His coming out proves he’s supported and loved by his family and roommates. What more could a man want? There’s just one small problem: John’s dishy Head Teacher, Brett Sanderson, and John’s gigantic crush on him. Too bad Brett is straight.

Brett Sanderson leads a double life. At thirty-three, he is the Head Teacher of a primary school. But for seven years now, during every school holiday, Brett has fled to Brighton, where he becomes ‘Rob,’ a man who has a different guy in his bed every night but has never had a relationship.

Once he’s back in school, Brett is firmly back in that closet, until his newest staff member starts prying open the door. When John pulls out all the stops to get Brett’s attention, neither man is prepared for the consequences.

REVIEW:  I had previously read the Learning to Love series and when I saw the blurb, I couldn’t get this book fast enough.  I had hoped that this story would be as good as the others and I was so happy that it was.

John Wainwright is finally admitting to himself and others that he’s gay.  It’s been a struggle for him and yet, when he comes out, nothing bad happens. He’s so very lucky that his family and his new housemates are so accepting and welcoming to him.  John is so sweetly naïve and this kind, loyal, good guy.  His life is finally starting to come together and make sense to him.  How lucky is he?  The only thing that is holding up all his dreams coming true, is his attraction to his sexy Head Teacher, Brett Sanderson. If only he can get his career and Brett, life would be just perfect.

Brett Sanderson is one of the youngest teachers to become Head Teacher.  He knows that he’s got an awful lot of responsibility on his shoulders.  That’s not really ever been a problem.  The problem is the double life he leads on his breaks from school.  He gets what he needs on these breaks, the fun and sex from strangers.  Until one day, he realizes that it’s really not what he wants anymore.  He wants to have that partner in his life. Brett is a good guy.  He’s kind, loving and really a who is trying to find his way.  Brett knows who he wants, but it’s the complications that come with getting who he wants.

The secondary characters where pretty great. I really liked seeing the characters from Learning to Love.  I liked seeing them be there for John in this book.  That they provided help when he needed it.  I love the Wainwright family.  Such Love and Support from Everyone.  No hateful vitriol, just wonderfully warm and caring family.  Now, John’s housemates, those guys just were what John needed in his life.  They showed him love, loyalty and loads of compassion.  They showed him what real close friends can and will do for each other.  Elliott was just what Brett needed in his corner.  He needed someone older that he could trust to speak to.  Elliott gave him the wonderful advice and yet, he allowed Brett to make his own decisions regarding his actions.

I really enjoyed seeing these two young men find their path to happiness.  It was not an easy path that they took.  There were many misunderstandings between them.  Brett’s misunderstandings were because he didn’t communicate his thoughts and led with just actions that didn’t show him in the best light.  Trust Me, he would have done loads better with just talking.  Now, John on the other hand, he’s just such a sweetly naïve character that I really just wanted to protect him.  He has struggled with his sexuality for awhile now and to finally just come out and have the love and support of those closest too you, ie your family and friends, John knows just how lucky he is.  He doesn’t understand that Brett has some pretty valid reservations regarding them getting together and it doesn’t have anything to do with not wanting him.

I really liked this book.  I enjoyed reading about how these two guys got together and them finding a way to make it work.  Totally worth the time and money to read this wonderful book.

BUY LINK: Dreamspinner Press