Hissy Fit is the first in a new series by Lani Lynn Vale and I am very excited about it! Most of her other series are MC clubs or police, but the Southern Gentlemen is neither! Here are the top reasons I clicked with Hissy Fit:
- The characters are teachers. Teachers are amazing!
- Raleigh is a great name (and a town I lived in and loved)!
- You can relate in some way to Raleigh's struggles-either her clumsiness or her invisibility will resonate with readers.
So, Ezra, our hero is a popular former jock who is now the football and baseball coach. Raleigh has been pining for him since high school but he literally has no idea she even exists. They have a hilarious meet cute that perfectly introduces Raleigh. Ezra begins to realize he has been totally blind. He can't fathom how he missed Raleigh all these years. Not just high school but college and now they teach at the same school and he had never really 'seen' her. Once he does see her though, he is laser focused on her. Lots of swoony moments.
Raleigh is clumsy beyond normal and socially a bit inept, but likable. She is also a virgin who reads smutty novels. She has a bit of verbal diarrhea too. How can you not be charmed by her?! While her traits are all a bit over the top, it didn't make it too difficult to find ways to relate to her. I'm not that clumsy (because, honestly, I don't think ANYONE is), but I have tripped over nothing, ripped my pants while wearing them, etc. So you might find Raleigh over the top, but I think you will relate to her anyway.
Finally, I have to say how thrilled I was to see a student teacher relationship portrayed as the illegal and manipulative act it is and not as some trumped up love story. The teacher in this book who engages in a relationship with a student ruins that student's life. Its not about consent because a teenager is always at a disadvantage in a situation like this. It is 100% wrong, all the time. I get very frustrated with books that romanticize student/teacher relationships because they are unhealthy and inappropriate. Thank you Lani Lynn Vale for giving readers the real trauma that can come from these types of interactions.
Hissy Fit was an enchanting story. I fell in love with Ezra and Raleigh and they kept me up long past my bedtime. I regret nothing! This new series Vale is building captivated me; I'm looking forward to more of these characters (Camryn).
- POV: dual
- Tears: I did cry a few times for Raleigh and Morgan (a student)
- Trope: teachers, small town,
- Triggers: none
- Series/Standalone: standalone
- Cliffhanger: no
- HEA: yes with a delightful epilogue
Law Man by Kristen Ashley, Lev by Bella Aurora, Until November by Aurora Rose Reynolds ...then you will probably like Hissy Fit!
See full review on The Book Disciple