Erryn reviews ‘Studious (IOU Book 2)’ by Leslie McAdam. This book was released by the author on October 2 2022, and is 262 pgs long. The audiobook version of this story was narrated by Declan Winters. It was released on August 25, 2022, and is 7 hrs and 10 mins long. A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
Why I read this book: I loved book 1 and couldn’t wait to listen to this one.
Book Title: Studious (IOU #2)
Author and Publisher: Leslie McAdam
Narrator: Declan Winters
Release Date: May 31, 2024
Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance
Tropes: Love tutor, virgin MC, reformed rake, nerd-popular, online bet
Themes: Self-acceptance, triumphing over past hurts, sweet and steamy, heart-warming
Heat Rating: 5 flames
Length: 7 hours and 10 minutes
A standalone story within a series.
It does not end on a cliffhanger.
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After a disastrous high school game of spin the bottle, I gave up trying to get a boyfriend and spent my time studying instead. Now I’m twenty-four, and I’m not only a virgin, I haven’t even been kissed.
When I meet Danny, a handsome legal hotshot, he catches my eye. Right before I trip on flat ground. Ugh.
He’s got a massive … reputation. He’s the most popular guy in the club, a total playboy with a new conquest every night. There’s no way he’d be interested in me.
But one night after I imbibe too much, he winds up taking care of me. And when I ask for his help with my travesty of a social life, he agrees to teach me how to be less awkward with men … if I let him document my progress so he can win a bet with his best friend.
Even though he’s just my love tutor and I’m just his apprentice, this starts to feel like more.
Too bad it can’t be anything but a high-level seminar in how to seduce someone else.
Studious is a sweet and sexy contemporary opposites-attract m/m romance about a suave attorney who’s scared to love and the shy, nerdy bookkeeper he’s teaching how to be a player. Cue makeover montage and a smoldering first kiss. These heroes most definitely are not falling in love. (Okay, heartwarming HEA guaranteed.)
My Review:
I love a great mother character who’s completely accepting of their gay son. So this book hit that note perfectly right away since I had two amazing mothers.
Okay, on to the story.
I have to say Alden stole my heart. An awkward teen, in the prologue, who was trying to find his way in the world. Even his amazing friend Mason couldn’t prevent him from a disastrous near first kiss that ends him up as the butt of jokes for most of high school. Yikes. He’s made his way through life and is now a successful bookkeeper. He likes numbers. Numbers are safe. Numbers aren’t going to make fun of him or let him down. He’s also got Mason, who’s on the other side of the world, and his mom who’s going through a health crisis. He’s got a pretty busy life.
Then, when he attends the after-work party on the Friday of his first week as bookkeeper for a gay-friendly law firm, his life changes forever.
(Quick note – loved the cameo of the couple from the first book…)
Danny’s a successful lawyer with a string of wins in the courtroom. He’s on top of the world. He also, after having his heart broken on prom night, has decided love is for suckers. He doesn’t do repeats, but he’s incredibly, uh, talented. Makes him a favorite at the local gay club. So he’s a player or sorts. In high demand but having to keep at bay the men who want more. He doesn’t do more.
When he finds Alden needs assistance after overindulging, Danny helps. It’s in his nature. And he’s taken with Alden – this innocent guy who admits to never having been kissed. Danny’s got a solution – and it’ll help himself out in the process. He’s got a bet going with a buddy. So he sets out on a mission: to make Alden a player. Successful at not just kissing but also bedding men.
Alden agrees because, in his mid-twenties, he’s never even been kissed.
Things get complicated when Danny suddenly wants to be all Alden’s firsts.
I have to say I really enjoyed this book. I didn’t know what I would get when I dove in. The story just…worked. And the mothers were amazing. Oh, and the cat was perfect.
To round out the perfection, Declan Winters narrated the story. I’ve listened to him back-to-back on completely different projects and I have to say he nailed both. He was great with this one. I hope to hear more from him and I definitely want more Leslie McAdam.
My Rating:
9/10 Pots of Gold (90% Recommended) – Compares to 4.5/5 Stars
Leslie McAdam is a California girl who loves romance and well-defined abs. She lives in a drafty old farmhouse on a small orange tree farm in Southern California with her husband and two children. Leslie’s first published book, The Sun and the Moon, won a 2015 Watty, which is the world’s largest online writing competition. She’s gone on to receive additional literary awards and has been featured in multiple publications, including Cosmopolitan.com. Her books have been Top 100 Bestsellers on both Amazon and Apple Books. Leslie is employed by day but spends her nights writing about the men of your fantasies.
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