** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **
Copy received through Netgalley

TRIGGERS: PTSD, depression, anxiety, panic attack, historic violence, mentions of historic injustices against Native Americans.
TROPES: age gap, student/professor, hurt/comfort

DNF'd at 70%. This review is to explain why.

One of my favourite parts of a book is when you get that Ah-Ha! moment of knowing what the title means. Even reading as much as 70% I still have no clue. After some time on Google, I see that some people call weasels "ta weezo" (though I couldn't find out why unless it's some kind of Cocky rhyming slang thing) but after searching in the book, it's only used twice, as a nickname that Drax gives Sabre, but it's never explained what it means.

I kind of feel that way about a lot of things. Like, for example, we're told that Drax is a teacher of Native American Lit and that Sabre is his student, but it's not until really far into the story that we find out only Drax is of Native American heritage. Even then, until that point, I had no idea whether Drax *was* Native American or whether he was just a professor of the class with no personal heritage link.

For me, it's those little links that felt the most out of place. Things that needed to be expanded on but weren't, and things that were expanded on that really didn't need to be. Like how it spent 6 pages telling us when/where and what Sabre and Drax were eating, them preparing food, and doing absolutely NOTHING else.
Like the bus conversation with Ben(?). That was super long and it actually felt flirty, like he and Sabre were connecting, and then...he disappeared from the story. He was literally only there so that Drax could point to someone and say "see, you're not alone. There are other shifters in the world."

A similar thing happened later, when they decide to go to a poetry night together as a first date.
Sabre is super excited about going, he's already there when Drax arrives - despite a big deal being made about Drax checking where Sabre would like to sit if he was late and why, a conversation that literally took more than a page to discuss and was rendered completely unnecessary because Sabre got there first. The whole scene is choppy and only there for convenience - there's no mention of them having eaten or been there a while, it just cuts from discussing going there, to Sabre getting up on the stage, and how he'd been there when Drax arrived. Then there's a chance for Sabre to read out his poem (which I, personally, didn't really get) and suddenly they're leaving. The entire scene felt contrived, just to let Sabre reveal his poetry, which felt unnecessary because we already knew he was a writer.

The story had a strong influence from Native American culture which was really interesting. But I do feel that, at times, it got *really* preachy and a lot of Drax and Sabre's conversations outside the classroom were a lot like lectures - to Sabre and to me, the reader. I'm also not sure that when trying to find a comparison in modern day that the NFL kneeling at football to drawn awareness to racial injustice was the right way to go. It pales in comparison to the true atrocity of Native American families having their children forcefully ripped from their homes/families and having their heritage literally beaten out of them. I'd think it would be more appropriate to compare it to the injustices suffered by Aboriginals, who experienced an eerily similar past, and the continued prejudice against them when attempting to school their children. For me, the NFL reference felt underwhelming in contrast when there was such a clear and obvious relatable comparison.

Personally, I didn't feel ANY chemistry between Drax and Sabre at all. It felt like Sabre was more interested in learning from Drax, while Drax was almost instantly in lust with Sabre's brain. They barely knew anything about each other before they started dating, and certainly not before Drax was getting all hot-and-spicy for Sabre. Their first kiss felt unrealistically passionate and sudden. And when Drax asked Sabre out, it felt both mature but also weirdly clinical, like he was drifting into lecture mode again.
For me, there was little to no chemistry between them to justify them being in such a rush to be together, when if they'd just waited a few months they could have been together without the awkwardness of being student/professor.

I also had a problem with the language use. Sabre often talks more like a professor than Drax does, like using "unequivocally" unironically. Then there are times when Drax ends up sounding more reasonable and frat-boyish. It felt inconsistent, which was the big problem. They would drift in and out of these language changes, and it wasn't because of the atmosphere - like being more casual when outside of class, which would have made sense - it just happened randomly.

There was no clear timeline anywhere in the book. I often had to just ignore the question of how long it had been since the previous scene/chapter and hope that it crept up later, but it usually didn't.

My other big problem was that two things were made out to be HUGE plot points...but that never actually happened, and they proved really unimportant in the end:
1) Sabre being a ferret shifter. This was interesting, but ultimately a pointless plot point because we only ever saw him shifted once, and it really had no bearing on the plot other than for Sabre to feel isolated and alone, which could have been done in some other way.
2) Sabre's scar. Again, this could have been a really interesting plot point, that someone had seen him shift, gotten angry and hurt him. But, in the end, it was completely unimportant, uninteresting and just another convenient way to force Sabre to be aloof and unknown, to hide in the shadows, when other options would have probably been more influential to the plot.

~

Overall, I just felt underwhelmed. It was a simple romance story with no angst, nothing to push it forward in any direction, and no clear point except to get the two MC's together. Which is fine, but it just didn't feel real. I didn't buy Drax and Sabre as a couple; I didn't feel any chemistry between them or understand *why* they were attracted to each other, except that they were probably more likely to philosophise together than to actually fall in love.

Ultimately, it should NEVER have taken me 3 days to even get 70% through a book that is less than 100 pages. I've read 200+ page novels in less time, which just goes to show that it really wasn't for me. If I'm dragging my heels over 90-ish pages, then it's not working.

This is a lovely novella about a college student who falls in love with his professor. Sabre is a very quiet young man who doesn't like being noticed. It is his love of native literature that leads him to seek advice from his professor even though he would much rather remain the quiet and hidden student that he has learnt to be.

Professor Locklear is intrigued by the brilliant but shy young man who comes to his office with questions. He invites Sabre to attend a storytelling event and he is excited when Sabre accepts. The Prof is aware that Sabre is his student even if he is graduating soon, but as the two of them draw nearer both men know that there is something alive between them.

Sabre has a lot to emerge from. He has had a turbulent childhood being passed from foster home to foster home and his face is marred by a vivid scar which he hides. He is also hiding other aspects of who he really is, but that doesn't stop the Prof and soon the two of them are spending much time together. Together the two men draw closer to each other and as Sabre begins to trust the Prof other secret parts of his life emerge.

This is about a relationship in which the past is resolved and the future is beautiful. It is a charming and romantic story with low angst. A beautiful and gentle romance and enjoyable to read.

Copy provided via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

What a unique, and completely charming tale! Ta Weezo's Blues is unlike anything I've ever read before, and I'm anxious to dig into the backlog of stories by Layla Dorine.

A warm and sweet comfort/hurt story where the characters make a strong connection, Ta Weezo's Blues won me over with the mystic aspect that Ms. Dorine adds into the plot. Not being a blurb reader I was completely surprised, but it works!

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book after reading the synopsis and it was the first time reading this author but all in all it was a pleasant surprise.

My favorite part of the story was the Native American element to it. I think without that element the story may have fallen a bit flat.

Sabre tries to hide from the world especially with his large scar on his face, but he's drawn to learning and Professor Drax Locklear's class has kept him captivated.

Drax starts to connect with his shy student originally as a student /professor relationship, but there is something about Sabre that draws him to him. Drax convinces Sabre to come to a story circle, and there Sabre learns his truth as well as Drax starts to see everything clearly.

This was a super quick but sweet read.

Short and sweet, but I really liked this one. I love any kind of mythology and even though this falls under Native American lure, it intrigues me just as much.

Sabre doesn't know his family history and he takes Professor Locklear's class on a whim. He thrives on reading and learning. The fact that he wants to be an author just ads fuel to that need to learn. Professor Locklear wishes all his students had that same spark that Sabre has, which is just one of the things that attracts him to Sabre.

Once Sabre discovers he's not as alone in the world as he thought he was, he's determined to no longer fight his attraction to his professor. The rest of the story is fairly predictable as far as the romance goes, but I still enjoyed the story. This is my first read by Layla Dorine, but I have a feeling it won't be my last. ;)

Okay, so I received an eARC of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review and I'm writing this review as I read, hence the words 'live nothing's in the title. I'm 40% in and I have a lot to say so far, so here goes! Please do remenber, these are my thoughts and opinions and I'm starting with a few negative points, but will be (hopefully) mainly focusing on the positive ones afterwards!

Firestly, the title. Ta Weezo's Blues - I sincerely hope that this title is explained at some point. I expected a character called Ta Weezo, but that hasn't happened so far, so I'm confused as to what it actually means and what relevance it has to the book, hmmmmm...

Secondly - character names. I love all of the characters so far but 'Sabre','Drax', 'Ben Thunder Hawk' and 'Professor Begay' aren't the most appealing names when reading and trying to imagine an actual, relatively normal person in a current timeline. To me, this just screams 'just watched a superhero movie and found a random hero name generator' and I don't like it. The characters personalities do make up for it, but even so, it's quite off-putting and distracting for me personally.

I'm 38% in and although I like Sabre, I feel his woe-is-me behaviour is a little more for show than anything. I get that he is self conscious of his scar, however I feel like it is a little extreme. I know/have known a lot of people with permanent scarring on their face that was through no fault of their own and I haven't known anyone to behave even slightly similarly. I would understand more it it was a massive deformity, but a scar. I feel that could've been done better.

Also, the chapters. One chapter was like 25% of the book and I feel like it could've been spaced out a little better, even though it is a very short story.

HOWEVER, I love Drax and can't wait to read more about him, especially in the story circle that's starting in the next paragraph! I would like to know his age and what got him interested in asking Sabre on a date, as Sabre is his student. I hope he can help Sabre overcome his many issues and lead him on a path to recovery that I feel he needs,as well as shower him with all of the love and affection because he is a sweet, shy little bean. It's nice to see that he made a friend in Ben and that he didn't judge him - but where was his reaction to Ben seeing his scar? Did he even see it?

Sabre's love for literature resonates with me personally, and I love that Drax is helping him stop isolating himself through something Sabre loved so mucg. I also feel the author put a few of her favourite books in there as a reference, so I have written a little list and will be checking them out soon!

I'm off to read some more, next update for this review will be below!

I thoroughly enjoyed Grace's story about the woman that could shapeshift into a bobcat, and I hope it'll be a stepping stone to Sabre regaining some of his confidence. I feel as though this story will be something for him and Drax to reflect on at some point in the book.

Okay, Grace is called Grace Windtalker. Another legitimate name. It's starting to irritate me. Sighs. I really didn't want that to happen.

All of a sudden there are shapeshifters? I laughed out loud. This book was a solid 4 stars up until this point. Now it's a 2.5. I just feel like this is more a parody, the writing doesn't introduce any kind of shapeshifting until this point. And even better, Sabre is a ferret, Windtalker is a fox and Thunder Hawk is a bear. WHAT. I suppose that explains the ferret on the front cover.

OKAY SO Drax kissed Sabre and I'm happy about that. Hopefully this is where it gets good again. Please, please let there be little mention of shareholding. It doesn't fit with the story. The kiss escalated quickly. Sabre was fangirling over the story circle and all of a sudden Drax is missing him and INSTANT MOANING. I like where this is going, but surely Sabre would be too shy to kiss back so passionately so soon after getting to know Drax? But I'm so into this teacher/student pairing right now I don't even care. DAAAAAAMN SABRE I DIDN'T KNOW YOU HAD IT IN YOU.

They're going to go on a date, and there's been no more shapeshifter talk in the last few pages, so I'm happy so far. Woo! Wow, this book is getting my feelings hot and cold and I don't even know if it's a good thing.

Angry talk about genocide in books. We are beginning to learn a little more about Drax and I like it! A positive message buried 60% into this book. Also, this post is getting long so I should probably write less. Sorry guys!

70% in and they're finally on a date. Now comes the smut I've been waiting for this whole time, woooooo!!!

... And Sabre shapeshifted in bed the next morning. I don't even understand why this shapeshifting is a thing? I'm really confused.

Now I feel bad. Sabre had a really tough time growing up and the scar on his face was from something quite bad and I FEEL AWFUL. I take back what I said. I LOVE HIM.

I just finished the book. I feel like all the smut was saved for the end and was super rushed. We didn't see much of the growth once they'd become intimate and officially decided to be in a relationship. We also had no explanation about the shapeshifting. All in all, I'm confused and doing know what to make of this book. I love it but also hate it. A 3 star for me, and I hope there's a second book that will give this book a lot more clarity. I would re-read this, but it's alright for a quick read (I read this in around an hour and a half) for something that satisfied the need to read a little smut, although be prepared to wait for the smut. I'll give one of the authors other books a go too, as one book can be awful but another story by the same person can be brilliant.

I hope you all enjoyed this and I'll be posting more reviews soon!

Steph xx

Sabre has always been interested in writing and loves the books recommended for his latest Native lit class with Professor Locklear. He tries to keep himself to himself but can’t resist talking to his teacher about further reading, which draws his attention. Professor Locklear finds himself drawn to the secretive and shy student and tries to draw him out. Cute story, my only criticism is its too short. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

i really enjoyed this.. made me happy.. and in some spots sad.. it was interesting and kept me on the edge of my seat curious to see what would happen next... i love sabre.. his sadness and pain but his love.. and wanting to be loved.. and the professor is wonderful and fun.. lol. it was all around an awesome story

Sweet little short story. Those four words sum it all up. I'm so used to there being some level of conflict in the romances that I read that I feel slighted when I'm given a romance where two people meet and get together. That's what we have here, nothing more nothing less. Quick easy read.

The title has left me a little confused as well. I'm not sure where the blues part comes in unless we're talking about Sabre and Drax's music appreciation. The ferret aspect was cute but didn't add much to the story. The romance was very light, just sweet.

This was an adorable little story about a college student and his professor falling in love. The story was very sweet, Sabre and Drax were just perfect! Sabre being a ferret shapeshifter is sort of an afterthought in some ways because it wasn’t the main focus of the story, their mutual love of academia was more the focus. Overall, this was a great short read!

I really liked the main characters, Sabre and Drax. They were really interesting and well written. My only issue was that the book was a bit short - I wish we could have seen more of them together. The ending seemed a bit abrupt too. Other than that I enjoyed this, just wish it was expanded on more! Good work.

A cute little story about a teacher and his student. I like how quickly things progress between them. The ferret was cute with the little sounds. Favourite character would probably be Benjamin.