The Learning Hours (How to Date a Douchebag, #3)

by Sara Ney

He's not a douchebag; but that doesn't stop his friends from turning him into one.

MY FRIENDS WANT ME TO GET LAID.

So much so that they plastered my ugly mug all over campus, in bold printed letters:

Are you the lucky lady who's going to break our roommate's cherry?
Him: socially awkward man with average-sized penis looking for willing sexual partner. You: must have a pulse. He will reciprakate with oral. Text him at: 555-254-5551

The morons can't even spell. And the texts I've been receiving are what wet dreams are made of. But I'm not like these douchebags, no matter how hard they try to turn me into one.

THIS ISN'T THE KIND OF ATTENTION I WANT.

One text stands out from hundreds. One number I can't bring myself to block. She seems different. Hotter, even in black and white.

However, after seeing her in person, I know she's not the girl for me. But my friends won't let up--they just don't get it. Douchebags or not, there's one thing they'll never understand: GIRLS DON'T WANT ME.

Especially her.

• ISBN10: 0999025333
• ISBN13: 9780999025338
• Publish Date: 19 July 2017
• Publish Status: Active
• Imprint: Three Legacies, LLC
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 398
• Language: English

Reviews

[thebookdisciple]

The Douchebags are back!! The Learning Hours is the 3rd installment in the How to Date a Douchebag series and....my least favorite so far. Here's why:

1. Rhett is NOT a douchebag (I'm totally okay with this!) but literally EVERYONE else is. They are shallow (seriously, how many times did characters comment on how ugly Rhett was?) bullies!


2. Rhett's "teammates" are horrible people. It went beyond 'douchebag' and into total dickwad territory. Seriously, at this point, if Ney ever writes a book for Gunderson or Johnson, I will never be able to read it because they were awful human beings in this book.


3. Laurel says she wants a real relationship with a guy who wants her for more than just her looks and sex. Then she promptly objectifies and demeans Rhett. Yeah, she really seems ready for a mature relationship. Laurel is VERY sure of how hot she is and doesn't mind telling the reader...repeatedly in case we weren't sure.

Now, having said that, let me tell you what worked in the book:

1. Ney flips the script on the traditional story. Hot guy meets geeky girl and after being a dick, eventually realizes she is amazing and falls for her. In this case, Laurel is the hottie and Rhett is the unattractive one who is treated like crap. Also, she is the slutty one and Rhett is very inexperienced. I appreciate the total flip on the trope.


2. Its kind of a Beauty and the Beast spin. But Belle has the personality of Gaston and the Beast has the personality of Belle. So, in a way, its the story of Gaston and Belle....Come on, you are intrigued.


3. There is character growth which I think is always a good thing. This is especially important in New Adult books because college kids are idiots (I can say that because I was one too!). I can appreciate the growth in Laurel and see that it was the journey that was important. Its like seeing what COULD have happened if Gaston had a life changing moment that made him realize he was an ass. Picture it....

Now, since I listened to the book, I have to tell you about the narrators. Both of them were new to me narrators. Muffy Newtown voiced Laurel and, at first, her voice caught me off guard. Its a bit lower pitched than I expected and it kind of threw me off. But, the more I listened, the more I appreciated her narration. I don't think she would be great for some books, but she was great for voicing Laurel. Josh Goodman did a great job with Rhett. With the slight southern twang and the French, the voice for Rhett could really make or break the narration overall. I am happy to say it was well done!

And finally, my thoughts on whisper sync. I borrowed this book with KU and then had the audio (it was a super cheap add on!). I was initially concerned that it wouldn't work great to switch back and forth. I mean, how can the audio skip to where I stopped reading? But, you know what? It works fairly well. Its not perfect. Sometimes the audio would pick up that I had read, but not quite get started where I stopped; however, it never skipped ahead. It might be a few pages behind but that was workable.

 

• POV: dual 1st


• Tears: no


• Trope: college, athletes


• Triggers: If douchebag and bitches make you ragey, you might want to skip this.


• Series/Standalone: stand alone within an interconnected series


• Cliffhanger: no


• HEA: more of an HFN; and quite frankly, I'm still not sure I think Laurel is good enough for Rhett.

Downed by Jen Frederick, Wrong by Jana Aston, The Matchmaker's Playbook by Rachel Van Dyken...then you will probably like The Learning Hours!

 

The Learning Hours

 See full review on The Book Disciple

[stacey_is_sassy]

***IT'S ALIVE!!***

Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.

***4.5 stars***

Geez, my headline is corny but it really does explain The Learning Hours. Outside beauty can hide an ugly inside and inside beauty can be hidden by an ugly outside. We all have different tastes that attract us to our desired partners. I myself, don’t particularly find long hair on guys attractive. I’m not a huge fan of fake tans, fat necks (the overly muscled kind), or dyed hair either, but each to their own.

I admit that The Learning Hours threw me for a loop. As the story unfolded I was gobsmacked to find that the story didn’t flow as I expected. Surprisingly, I think it was better than what I had pre-planned my brain to expect.

Sidetrack…do you do that? You know, guess what’s going to happen before you even start? Think you know how it should be written? I love it when I’m surprised. Oh sure, a little part of me will analyse whether my storyline was better than the authors. Most times the authors get it right…which is why they’re earning the big bucks. 😉

I’m not going to go into my usual ramblings because I really believe that this story needs to be experienced without knowing all the details. I will say this though, SARA NEY WRITES SOME OF THE MOST INFURIATING CHARACTERS!!! I wanted to reach into the book, pull a few characters out by their ears and give them a good talking to. Tears, I tell you. I was a blubbering mess at times. How does Sara Ney manage to take me from hate to love? It’s frustrating, to be honest. I want to hate them for a bit longer. I can’t draw out the hate though because I have to read the book quickly to find out what’s happening next.

Oh, how readers must suffer when they find an author to love (hand to my forehead, in a woe is me, stance).

Remarkably, I have managed to write a fairly short review (pat myself on the back). Readers who have enjoyed the How to Date a Douchebag series will be surprised where this one goes. Stick with it because it’s bloody brilliant. Readers will be frustrated, angry, upset, giddy, overjoyed and content. The Learning Hours has all the gut punches you would expect, mixed with some sweet, soppy and loving moments.

I definitely recommend The Learning Hours and the How to Date a Douchebag series. Pretty please Sara Ney, may I have some more…

Stacey is Sassy, received a complimentary copy of this story. The copy provided is not the final copy and may be subject to edits and changes.