Kissing Galileo (Dear Professor, #2)

by Penny Reid

[stacey_is_sassy]

Not just a pretty face…

This review is a wee bit spoilerish, please proceed with caution.

I made an executive decision that I wasn’t going to read Nobody Looks Good Naked that was originally released in instalments in Penny Reid’s newsletter. For starters, I’m too impatient to wait for my story in instalments. Secondly, I need to get my highs and lows on my terms and at my pacing. I can’t take my hits without knowing that with the turn of a page, I can (hopefully) see rainbows. So, I patiently waited for Kissing Galileo to be born.

I finished reading Kissing Galileo this morning and I’ve been contemplating what to share in my review. Now, to be honest, this does not mean this review is going to me monumentally thought-provoking and deep because I have a nasty head cold. I’m a wee bit loopy and my eyelids feel like they weigh a tonne, but I’m determined to share my thoughts and feelings on how much this story affected me. Now, bear with me, this could get way, way random rambling…ish and I probably will make huge generalisations.

Isn't it amazing that we can be so influenced by a person's looks? I can't help but look at good-looking people and judge them to have everything going for them. Good looks will open doors, get you noticed and make you popular. But, what if that good-looking person is actually shy and reserved, hates attention and feels overwhelmed when people stare? Would you know just from looking at them? Would it stop you from staring? We don’t know what’s beneath their clothes, under their skin or what they’ve lived through. Kissing Galileo has made reminded me to stop judging on the outside and consider their insides as well, scars and all.

I’m happy with the way I look now but my weight and height have always been something I’m self-conscious about. I’m 173cm tall and big-boned which means I’m significantly bigger than my mum and sisters who fit under my chin. Sure, they wish they had my height, but I wish I didn’t tower over them. When you’re the odd one out you feel like everyone compares you. I understood Victor’s self-consciousness when people stared. Sometimes you just want to be the same as everyone else.

I couldn’t understand or comprehend why Victor wasn’t strutting his stuff with the changes he made happen. I get that he felt manipulated in how he got to where he was, but it was him that did all the hard work, not the douchewaffle who pushed him to take the first step. I guess the thing is, if you’ve never been a strutter, it’s hard to suddenly become one. I’ve strutted when I’ve felt good and I’ve skulked around with baseball cap and sunnies when I’ve felt bad. For me, the highs and lows, the good and bad were all about how comfortable I am in my skin. So, I guess, I do understand and comprehend Victor after all.

Should a professor be attracted to his/her student? Should a professor have a relationship with a student? Honestly, I don’t have a problem with it if it’s handled in a mature and professional way. Kissing Galileo did not come across as creepy or gross because Emily was very mature and intelligent. Victor, once he acknowledged his attraction, put things in place to make sure there was no bias. The falling for the professor part of the story was very minor and not at all about a taboo relationship.

I absolutely loved that Emily and Victor valued each other’s minds and just accepted that they were fortunate enough to be attracted to each other’s looks as well. Even with their strong attraction, they decide that friendship would be better for them both. Victor is still working through some issues and Emily is not sure she wants to risk her heart on someone she knows could break it.

I really, really enjoyed Kissing Galileo and I loved that Penny Reid brought her *A* game to this story. Emily and Victor are marvellous individually, but together they were amazing. The additional characters, Anna and Andy were exactly what a friendship is all about and I loved them for it. The love story had its bumps, but I was convinced of their happy ever after by the end. Eventually, they learnt to communicate better and trust that they were together than apart. There weren’t a lot of sexy times but when they did happen, they were HOT!!

I’m so sorry for this rambling review. If you're a Penny Reid fan and didn't get a chance to read her newsletter, you should definitely give this one a go.

Just remember, there’s a story behind every pretty picture.

Peace, love and happiness to all.