Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Romance Languages
SERIES: South Rock High
AUTHOR: A.J. Truman
PUBLISHER: Truman Books
LENGTH: 285 pages
RELEASE DATE: April 26, 2023
BLURB:
Can my straight friend help me cash in my v-card by my birthday?
In one month, I turn thirty-five with my virginity still intact. Is there anything more embarrassing than knowing most of my French students have gotten more action than me? Je suis triste
When I accidentally reveal this secret to my close friend and co-worker Seamus, South Rock’s baseball coach, he offers to help me round the bases.
It has to be a joke, because Seamus is one million percent straight.
There’s no way he’d want to fool around with a chubby language nerd like me, even though I’ve harbored a secret crush on him since the day he first walked into the teachers lounge.
But then I realize he’s not joking.
I’m either entering thirty-five with a bang…or a friendship going up in flames.
Romance Languages is a virgin, nerd/jock, friends to lovers romance filled with humor and heart. It’s the third book in the South Rock High but can be read as a standalone.
REVIEW:
Note: This is the third book in this series and contains major spoilers for the first book. Read out of order at your own risk 😉
This one brings together foreign language teachers Julian and Seamus. They are friends and Julian helps Seamus out with things – like the new software the school has insisted the teachers use. Julian teachers French and Seamus teaches Spanish. Julian has always had a bit of a crush on Seamus. Seamus has started a tiktok type account where he posts videos about funny things about being a teacher. He’s getting more and more followers and Julian is one of them 😉
Julian is staring down the barrel to his 35th birthday. He’s a bigger guy and has had no luck with love 🙁 In fact, he’s still a virgin because he’s just not interested in hookups – not that he’s had much of an option. Guys on apps seem to never be interested in him and even when they do meet, the guys take off once they see him 🙁 Add to this the passive aggressive comments by his mother and well, he’s just got pretty low self-esteem at this point.
Julian confesses to Seamus that he’s going to be a 35 year old virgin and he’s really upset about it. He’s lied to his friends, fellow teachers, Chase, Everett and Amos. He absolutely mortified that he’s now shared this with Seamus. But Seamus shockingly enough offers himself up to help Julian out of his predicament. Julian cannot believe it, but Seamus seems sincere.
Julian and Seamus embark on a friends with benefits scheme that will have Julian shed his v-card by this birthday. Meanwhile he’s helping to plan his grandparent’s 50th anniversary party and keep what’s going on with Seamus on the DL from his friends. Adding to all this drama is his mother’s constant nagging about his weight and his health. Not helping.
Seamus is also dealing with some stuff. He’s made some pretty big mistakes in his past and is trying to right the wrongs. He’s got really supportive friends in Greg and Ethan, the couple he lives with. He’s dealing with an addiction and also overwhelming feelings of guilt and of being unworthy. Oh my. These two.
Of course things are going fine. Seamus is a bit confused about his feelings. Fellow teachers try to help him figure things out. Julian is convinced that a great guy who is also fit would never be interested in someone like him. Except that he is. There are a few stumbles, but eventually these two get on the same page.
This has become one of my favorites series. A.J. Truman is able to write really funny and tender stories that tug on the heartstrings. This one brings together foreign language teachers Julian and Seamus. They are friends and Julian helps Seamus out with things – like the new software the school has insisted the teachers use. It’s clear that these two guys like and respect each other. When things get physical, both are shocked by their feelings and how much they change. Seamus really does care about Julian and while he’s obviously attracted, he also lets Julian know that he is desirable and sexy and a great catch. Julian’s feelings about being unworthy are really the biggest hurdle to things working out. Luckily he’s got friends and colleagues who talk some sense into him. No matter that they are not perfect, they are indeed worthy of love.
There were some really hilarious moments – I literally LOL’d. These two are great separately and together. I loved getting a glimpse into the lives of the other teachers and couples from previous books and seeing them help out their fellow teachers. This is really a fun series and I recommend for anyone looking for body positivity, humor, bi-awakening and low angst HEAs.
RATING: 
BUY LINK: