Review: Misconduct by Penelope Douglas

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Misconduct
By: Penelope Douglas
Publisher: NAL
Published: Dec. 1, 2015
Genre: Romance
Rating:
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Goodreads

Former tennis player Easton Bradbury is trying to be the best teacher she can be, trying to reach her bored students and trying to forget her past. What brought her to this stage in her life isn’t important. She can’t let it be. But now one parent-teacher meeting may be her undoing…

Meeting Tyler Marek for the first time makes it easy for Easton to see why his son is having trouble in school. The man knows how to manage businesses and wealth, not a teenage boy. Or a young teacher, for that matter, though he tries to. And yet…there is something about him that draws Easton in—a hint of vulnerability, a flash of attraction, a spark that might burn.

Wanting him is taboo. Needing him is undeniable. And his long-awaited touch will weaken Easton’s resolve—and reveal what should stay hidden…

 

 

 

1thoughtsEaston is just starting her first year as a teacher and if the first day jitters aren’t bad enough, imagine how she feels when she realizes that one of her students [single] father’s had recently flirted with her at a masquerade party. It’s not hard for her to keep her distance from Tyler though, seeing as he’s a bit prickly. He clearly doesn’t have a huge interest in his son’s life or anything for that matter other than his work. However, one verbal sparring after another and pretty soon they are doing the horizontal tango. The only problem is, Easton’s job, and Tyler’s Senator candidacy could be put at risk if news of their relationship got out.

Let me just start out by saying that I LOVED Misconduct. I will be honest and say that I wasn’t expecting much but a sexy romp between the pages, but Penelope Douglas grabbed me by my non-existent girl balls and didn’t let go until the very last word. Not only that but she evoked so much emotion out of me, and I’m not talking the typical smile or snort. Oh no, Penelope Douglas had me cringing… CRINGING at a particular part in the book. It felt like my heart was in a vice grip as this particular scene unfolded. And it wasn’t because it was written horribly, it was because I cared for the characters that much and was so invested in their story that when things got a little dicey in this scene I just couldn’t take it. I mean I was there. I was there in that club with them and I just could not take it. That right there. That intense emotion is when I knew that Penelope Douglas had me by my little girl balls… if little girls had balls. (Sorry, I couldn’t help but quote The Heat.)

Seriously, all the characters in this book were awesome. Easton was this fierce, don’t back down chick. She had some bad crap happen to her when she was a teen and that left her a little messed up but she doesn’t let it handicap her. When Tyler comes in like an enraged bull in a china shop questioning her in front of her boss, she stands her ground and lets him know what’s what. Heck, she even shows up to his place of work and when he thinks he’s backed her into a corner, she comes out swinging like Mike Tyson and K.O’s him when he thinks he’s won the fight. Seriously, if Easton was a real chick, I’d want to be her friend.

“Now I understand you’re a smart man and you couldn’t have gotten where you are without being determined and intelligent. But I also think that you do whatever you want and say whatever you like without fear of accountability. I always have a very good reason for everything I do. Do you?… Don’t tell me how to do my job, and I won’t be so arrogant as to tell you how to do yours.”

Tyler was an interesting guy. He knocked up a girl when he was 20 and has regretted not being in his son’s life ever since. He tried to be there but when it appeared that he was just making things worse, he backed off. However, when the mother claims she’s taking their son with her to Africa for her job, he puts his foot down and demands that Christian stay with him. Which is how he ends up with a resentful 14 year old living with him. He puts on this mask like he’s indifferent to his son’s snide comments and brush-offs, but inside he dies a little every time. Between his relationship with his son, the relationship with Easton, running his business, and his upcoming run for Senator, he’s a bit stressed. However, there is something about Easton that grounds him and gives him the push he needs to break through that barrier with his son.

My one and only gripe about the whole book was the “climatic” part. I just felt like it was unnecessary. It’s not like the damsel in distress needs the knight in shining armor to save her, thus making him realize that he loves her and can’t live without her. No, it was just some crazy psycho conflict that popped up just to stir the pot. A pot, that I might add, that was already bubbling over with awesomeness. I didn’t need that conflict nor did I enjoy it. However, the rest of the story was so amazingly perfect that I’m able to overlook that little part in the book and give it five stars because I will be rereading this book.

Misconduct is perfect for any romance lover looking for a good laugh and some sexy times. Seriously, you have got to get your hands on this book.

Oh, and before I forget, I loved that the author included book discussion topics in the back of the book. If only I was part of a book club that read these types of books I’d be all set.

 

1favequote“I’d gathered enough in my short and limited experience as a father that being a parent was like tossing marbled up into the air and seeing how many would land in a shot glass.”

 

kRISTIN

 

6 Thoughts on “Review: Misconduct by Penelope Douglas

  1. Sounds like you really enjoyed this one. Sounds steamy good!

  2. I’m just peeking a little 😀 I have this one for review and wasn’t able to get to it yet. Gonna move it up the pile after seeing your rating! Yay!

    • Just be warned, there is a scene where a condom isn’t used. I know that is a pet-peeve of yours and I will be honest that I was a little uncomfortable with it when it happened.

  3. Interesting, I will look this one up. It’s hitting all the stuff I like in my romance

  4. Wow, now you got me all excited. This sounds intensely good. That cover just makes it better.

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