Monday, September 2, 2013

COURTNEY REVIEWS: UNTEACHABLE by LEAH RAEDER

UnteachableCategory/Genre:
Publisher: Velvet Pony Press
Publication Date: 7/26/13
Format: ebook
Pages: 268
Source: Received from author for review


This novel contains graphic sexual content and strong language. It is intended for mature readers. I met him at a carnival, of all corny places. The summer I turned eighteen, in that chaos of neon lights and cheap thrills, I met a man so sweet, so beautiful, he seemed to come from another world. We had one night: intense, scary, real. Then I ran, like I always do. Because I didn’t want to be abandoned again.

But I couldn’t run far enough.

I knew him as Evan that night. When I walked into his classroom, he became Mr. Wilke.

My teacher.

I don’t know if what we’re doing is wrong. The rules say one thing; my heart says screw the rules. I can’t let him lose his job. And I can’t lose him.

In the movies, this would have a happy ending. I grow up. I love, I lose, I learn. And I move on. But this is life, and there’s no script. You make it up as you go along.

And you don’t pray for a happy ending. You pray for it to never end.


Unteachable is a story about 18 year old Maise meeting 32 year old Evan at a summer fair when they share a roller coaster ride. Is this literal or figurative? I just wrote that literally, but have realized as I did that it is an obvious theme to the entire book. Blew my own mind. Anyways! Everyone remembers those hot summer nights right? Right. So things happen and they feel a connection in their short time together, but Maise runs away.

Fast forward a week or so...Mr. Evan Wilkes is her film studies teacher...for her senior year of high school. I think this will be a personal struggle for each reader whether this is an issue or not, but for the most part it isn't. They try to fight their attraction, but seeing each other every single day becomes too much. They get together fast and intense and crazy and each emotion that goes along with a taboo forbidden relationship is written in a fantastic way. I had a lot of feelings of unease as soon as I found out, because I just knew that things were going to crash and burn and it was going to hurt so I tried to be ready. All that accomplished I suppose was me feeling sick to my stomach, but I kept plugging along anyways! 

Now, for the reason that I focused less on their taboo relationship and more on the fact that they might actually be lost souls saving each other was the wrecked, hard lives that they had each been living up to that point. Both Maise and Evan have had heartbreaking childhoods, so it may just be that they are helping each other. Being inside of Maise's head though brings to mind all of those speed of lightning dramatic thoughts that everyone has at 18, and trying to figure out who they are. Her coming of age in the midst of this, and backstabbing friends, a drug addict mother turned into an amazingly compelling tale. 

Evan's big secrets though were partly heartbreaking and half made me want to strangle him for taking advantage of his position. Since it is a fictional case, just take it how it is meant to be, remember you can't help who you love, remember that even though she is a student she starts out the story already 18 and it will be okay! This is a standalone novel, but boy did she make us wait right to the very, very end to find out how things were going to turn out!!! These books are destined to give me a heart attack at a young age.




Purchase Unteachable
(I receive no compensation for sales.)
 
 
 
About the author
Writes pretentiously lyrical YA and adult fiction of various genres. Loves zombies, velociraptors, and other world-ending things.

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14 comments:

  1. This book sounds like such a rollercoaster ride Courtney, I've read quite a few books which deal with teacher-student relationships, but none have really stood out for me. I tend to prefer the ones that crush your heart instead and this book sounds like it does exactly that. Great review!

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  2. Oh gosh, there is just something great about taboo relationships, but I do like that she is 18 and an adult. I dont think I would be able to handle if she was technically a minor. Great review!

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  3. I just finished another book about student/teacher lovin, this sounds good too ;)

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  4. There has been so much praise for this book, but in all honesty, the age gap is a bit unsettling. I guess I wouldn't have minded it much if she had been in college, but for now, it's just very strange to me. It does seem like I'm missing out though.
    Unteachable sounds like an intense and emotional book. Your description of the book as being a roller-coaster ride has got me intrigued though because I do love a good book that manages to keep you emotionally invested.
    I should probably just get over my narrow-mindedness and get to this book already.
    Lovely review, Courtney!

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  5. Ooh this is a new book for me. It looks really good! Sometimes the teacher/student thing is hit or miss for me. Sometimes it creeps me out but if its well done I just see it as a good love story.

    Thanks for the great review!

    Michelle @ Book Briefs

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  6. I just bought this book over the weekend and I cannot wait to dive into it. I like reading book like this because I know they will be emotionally charged and I love seeing how authors handle such a taboo subject. If it's excecuted properly I just know this will be a great read.

    Wonderful review!

    Debbie @ Keep Calm & Read Romance

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  7. This is a great review, Courtney! It sounds like it's well written and very intense! Thanks for sharing.

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  8. Ooohhh I love stories like this! Better check it out on Amazon NOW

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  9. Nope. Can't read it. Glad you enjoyed it, though.

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  10. I've been hearing good things about this book. At first I wasn't going to read it, but now I think I will give it a try. Great review.

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  11. I've seen so many good reviews of this one but it kind of reminds me of another book that I don't think you've read so I won't name it :) I'm sure it's totally different though. I have it on my I hope I have time for it list.

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  12. I thought this was a fantastic NA book, and pulled off a lot of tricky things in a really believable way. I'm glad you enjoyed it, too!

    Wendy @ The Midnight Garden

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  13. Sounds interesting. The cover is groovy. ;)

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