Release Day Book Review: John Wilder Gets Schooled (Goose Run #2) by Lisa Henry & Sarah Honey

Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  John Wilder Gets Schooled

SERIES:  Goose Run

AUTHORS:  Lisa Henry & Sarah Honey

PUBLISHER:  Self-published

LENGTH:  252 pages

RELEASE DATE:  December 2, 2025

BLURB:

John Wilder is a full time roofer, a part time stripper, and the world’s greatest dad. Okay, so that last one is a work in progress, but Wilder is doing his best—it’s just that between working two jobs and parenting, he’s struggling, and Gracie’s grandparents are just waiting for him to fail. Getting off on the wrong foot with Gracie’s disapproving kindergarten teacher is the last thing he needs. But Wilder is determined to ace this parenting thing and wipe the judgemental look off Avery Smith’s cute, kissable face—wait, what?

Avery Smith is in his first year teaching, and he’s already got a problem parent. Exhibit A, John Wilder. He turns up late, forgets to bring his daughter snacks, and Avery’s sure he spotted him at the bar the next town over wearing glitter and a G-string. But Avery soon discovers that there’s more to Wilder’s situation than meets the eye, and he finds himself drawn to the attractive single dad. Except Avery has one hard and fast rule—no crushing on the straight dads, no matter how tempting. And Wilder is straight, right?

Turns out Wilder is about to learn a lot of things about himself, and Avery is the perfect teacher.

REVIEW:

John Wilder is trying to keep his head about water.  His high school girlfriend and mother of his 5 year old has gone off to college and he’s now thrown into being a full time parent to his daughter Gracie.  He was thrown out by his parents at 17 when he wouldn’t marry Cassidy, the mother of his daughter.  They’ve decided together that Gracie should live with one of her parents and so Wilder steps in.  But between his two jobs and trying to make sure his daughter is taken care of, this 22 year old is in over his head.

When Gracie is late for her first day of kindergarten, Wilder meets Mr. Avery Smith, her teacher.  Mr. Smith is NOT impressed with a dad who is constantly late and forgets Gracie’s snacks.  In fact he dubs him his worst parent.  But then after an unexpected lap dance from said worst parent, things get awkward.  They agree to never speak about it.  It gest worse when it turns out that the house he bought is next door to Wilder and Gracie.

Wilder’s work is unsteady and so he ends up being at loose ends just when Mr. Smith needs a parent to help with a school outing.  Wilder steps in and things begin to change.  Avery sees Wilder in a new light.  And when he helps Wilder after a mishap, well things start to really change when Wilder kisses him. Say what?  Avery is NOT crushing on a straight dad!

Wilder realizes that he didn’t really understand himself very well. Because he would like to kiss Avery again 😉  But he wants to take things slowly and Avery offers to be his safe place to explore this new side of himself.  It’s a new world for Wilder, but he’s open to it.  Especially since this is the most right he’s felt in forever.

OMG I loved these two! Wilder has a lot on his plate.  His family abandoned him and he moved in with Danny and his grandma.  Their friends Chase and Cash round out their found family.  With Avery and Miller, their family ahs grown.  True to form, there are so many laugh out loud moments in this story.  Gracie is a spectacular character.   Avery and his family and the rest of the folks of Goose Run make their appearances as well.  And Temu Captain America??  BRILLIANT!  Avery turns out to be a bit bossy and Wilder loves it.  They are very good together and Avery’s patience with Wilder is so sweet.  the guys are supportive of Wilder as usual.  I really enjoy this series and I can’t wait for the next book 🙂

RATING: 

BUY LINKS:

Amazon