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Learning From Isaac (2014)

by Dev Bentham(Favorite Author)

3.54 of 5 Votes: 5

languge

English

genre

Romance

publisher

Love is a Light

series

Tarnished Souls

review 1: In this era of endless series and sequels, it's refreshing to find a whole swag of standalones.It means the author has to come up with fresh characters, plot and setting each time. Not easy. But very rewarding when it is done well.While on the surface this is a series because at least one of the heroes is Jewish and the observance of religion at some point touches on the story, the only other connecting link is that the world they live in is loosely interlinked. So if characters from other books make a cameo appearance, it's more wondering how they got together as a couple or what their story is. Hence the books can be read in any order. In fact, the last in the series actually began first.They are not cut and paste jobs either. Each story is unique and the characters are... more quite different.There are no MM stereotypes or cliches.Sure older professor and student has been done before, and if that is all you see in a story then you might not agree with me, but I love the detail the author has painted around that central premise.These feel like real people, not story book characters. I liked the way the author took her time to establish their personalities, because this is what makes each rendition of this religious holiday theme different.Nathan, a professor of ecology, is painfully aware that his youth is slipping away and fears that he is destined to spend the rest of his life alone. At first, the constant attention of a young good looking student is flattering, but Nathan is a stickler for the rules so he ensures lines are not crossed. Isaac is smart. He keeps pushing at this barrier, feeling correctly that they can meet each other on equal terms one day.But they're not equals in other ways. Isaac is a student having difficulty paying for his education. Nathan is comfortably off.Isaac was thrown out by his family when he came out. While Nathan comes from a supportive family. He even noted that Isaac, being Jewish and attractive was exactly the sort of boy his mother woud approve of. Then something happens that neither can prevent, and the attraction that had been simmering explodes to the surface. Once there and acknowledged, they need to work through the ramifications as it pertains to their lives.As the author states in the acknowledgements, the religious context comes from Passover, and the fact that it celebrates the freedom from bondage.Religion per se isn't so much present as an observance of religion. This mirrors Nathan's observance of the rules pertaining to relationships with students and men much younger than himself. It also allows us a glimpse into the lives of others. And isn't that one of the reasons we read?Dev is gradually re-editing these books as they come of out of contract and reissuing them. Chronoligically, it was the second book she ever wrote and like most authors, her skills have developed since then, allowing her to see flaws and places where it could be improved. I have only read the latest version and it is more than fine.
review 2: I can't say that the story was just OK but at the same time I can't say I loved it. The problem for me was that it was all a bit too ' nice ' and tasteful, even the sex scenes, although they are sensual. Everything about it was right but at the same time it seems to lack a little something, possibly a bit more passion ( not particularly in relation to the love scenes ) and the gritty feel that usually goes alongside the male prostitute angle. It's all a bit ' safe '.However, it was written well in a smooth easy style and the two protags were engaging enough. I even thought the may to December romance was handled nicely - see there's that word again, nice! The subject matter of having to hustle to pay school fees was also ' tastefully ' portrayed and the humiliation of coping with its after effects was there, but everybody who mattered to the pair of them seemed to accept it without a second thought, only the ' tricks ' who they encounter cause trouble and everything's resolved with only a small amount of conflict. Do you see where I'm going?Overall there's nothing to dislike and it's a pleasant read and as I always say " each to their own ". less

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