Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE:  Austin

SERIES:  Learning to Love #4

AUTHOR:  Con Riley

PUBLISHER:  Figment Ink

LENGTH:  303 pages

RELEASE DATE:  May 25, 2022

BLURB:

Austin Russell doesn’t belong at a small school like Glynn Harber. He’s meant to be a high flyer in finance not a book-keeping bursar. Now there’s only one renovation project left to budget, it’s time he toughened his soft heart and got back to climbing the corporate ladder.

The truth is he’d rather climb Maisie Dymond’s father.

That urge doesn’t add up—Dom Dymond is his polar opposite—but when a near-miss brings them together, Austin discovers there’s more below his laid-back surface, especially as Dom’s determined to win the bid for the school’s last rebuilding project.

Working in proximity means Austin can’t deny that they’re opposites who don’t only attract, they combust whenever they’re close. Telling himself it’s only a fling doesn’t ring true when Dom opens up about what keeps him in Cornwall. He’s there to heal his fractured family, and he wants Austin as part of it.

That openness makes Austin want to share too, but will Dom still feel the same attraction once he knows what drives Austin to keep climbing his ladder?

REVIEW:

“His kiss was quick, his hug lasting longer, Austin enveloped, and this—this—was what he hadn’t known he’d missed or needed— someone this pleased to see him.”

Don’t dare ask me which Learning to Love book I like most. It’s an impossible choice; one after another, these novels are superb. This latest – Austin – is outstanding and I love it and its characters so, so much! Con Riley has brilliantly interwoven so many layers to create a multi-dimensional story that extends far beyond the wonderful romance. Like the previous books, Austin has so much beneath the surface of the primary relationship – subplots with deeper meaning – and I think that’s what sets them apart and makes them truly special. I love that I take away important reminders about life – kindness, forgiveness, loss, and guilt. I felt like a student being enlightened by one of Luke’s thought-provoking lessons on High Tor. That said, this is not a heavy book. The low-angst love story is sweet and heartwarming and swoony.

You’ll remember Austin as Glynn Harber’s new bursar, Luke’s former adversary in Luke, and Sol’s ex-boyfriend. He’s far from the brittle man who battled Luke with the school budget. Back then he had plenty of negative things to say about little Maisie’s father, Dom, when he repeatedly showed up late for picking up Maisie after school. But Dom is different than Austin’s first impression. He’s patient and caring, forthright and honest, and concerned, not annoyed or angry as Austin thought. He’s a gentle soul, so giving of himself, and I adore him.

“You know I fancy the pants off you, right?” – Dom

The relationship that develops between Austin and Dom is beautiful and gentle. There are oh, so many kisses, both sweet and needy. The sexy times are tender and slow before becoming desperate, unrelenting, and hot! (Speaking of hot, tell me that cover isn’t sexy AF!) And their first “I love you” to each other couldn’t be any cuter!

But there are impediments to the developing relationship. Austin is compelled to leave Glynn Harber for a more lucrative job for some reason. We don’t know why he’s so driven to meet financial goals that he’s prepared to walk away from Dom. Austin must also deal with Cameron’s continued animosity toward him.

Then there’s Maisie’s storyline which becomes much more complex as the book progresses. “It takes a village” is a concept that applies to Maisie. Her parents, her grandfather, her school teachers, Austin, and even Cameron contribute to giving the little girl the best foundation they can. There’s no room for blame or guilt when things go wrong. Self-forgiveness is paramount.

Guilt is an over-arching theme in the book. It affects Dom with regard to Maisie; Maisie’s mother about parenting in general; and Austin for numerous reasons I won’t reveal. Dom is able to put blame and guilt aside and endeavors to teach that lesson to Austin: he needs to confront his past not avoid it, and let go of the guilt.

The messages imparted in this book will resonate with many readers even if their situations vary greatly from Austin, Dom, Maisie, and her mother. We all face challenges and feel crushed under pressure and expectations, both internal and external, and blame ourselves. Ms. Riley uses a poignant metaphor to convey this point. Kindness and forgiveness, to both ourselves and others, are paramount when things don’t go as planned. To that end, Luke shares with the older students a school tradition of helping others carry the weight of what troubles them

Also on a lighter note, there’s Charles. Cheeky, irreverent Charles Heppel, whom I love so much, brings lots of humor to this book. I want my very own Charles, please.

Dom, by the way, is Jason’s friend and client from Be My Best Man. Both Jason and darling Vanya have cameos in Austin. If you’re a fan of Vanya, you’re in for a treat. His appearance is no mere Easter egg – it’s a full-blown Easter basket filled with Reese’s eggs, jellybeans, and a foot-tall chocolate bunny. After all, he’s one of Ms. Riley’s most beloved characters.

I felt a very personal connection to the circumstances of Maisie’s life that made this book significant for me but I can’t imagine anyone not enjoying it. You’ll experience a range of emotions: you’ll smile and laugh, you might shed a few tears, you’ll get the warm fuzzies, and you’ll likely fall in love with Dom. He’s such a devoted father and just perfect for Austin. And this sweet, romantic book should be perfect for just about everyone. Enjoy!

“I’m not afraid of long hauls,” Dom told him, that smile almost gone now. “Or of complex projects. To be honest, I prefer them.” He squared his shoulders. “Commitment doesn’t scare me.”

RATING: 

BUY LINKS:

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