Thank you NetGalley for this review copy. This was a really cute romance and I can't wait to read more from Sidney Halston.

Love Lessons by Sidney Halston is a light enemies to lovers romance! I liked Valerie and Andrew, but I felt like their romantic relationship could've been expanded on a bit more. It seemed like half the book was focused on her pregnancy. If I had known that this book was focused on pregnancy rather than a teacher romance, I probably would've skipped it.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I wanted to love this since I am a huge fan of baby making in my books especially enemies to lovers. However, different teaching styles and maybe three pages of content did not live up to the hype that I was hoping for.

This book felt lowkey more realistic about love than I was expecting. I wish there was more swoon and butterflies with the romance, but it was a good time.


Forced Proximity and Pregnancy aren’t normal it for me especially together. I made an exception because I liked this book so much. The book could have done better about the tropes.

The ending had me in tears! This book intrigued me as a fan of Abbott Elementary and it delivered. I really enjoyed the school environment of the story. My issue with this book is how unrealistic it was throughout the story, but the foundation was there in my opinion. It was a fun read.

Thank you to NetGalley & Avon publishing for sending me an arc!

Writing: 3/5
Pace: 3/5
Plot: 2/5
Characters: 3/5
Ending: 4/5
Enjoyability: 3/5

This isn’t a “true” enemies-to-lovers trope as the two main characters weren’t enemies but rather coworkers who hated each other. The plot is realistic but overstretched in my opinion. An accidental pregnancy should allow for character growth but both the main characters seem one dimensional. Also, this wasn’t really a “spicy” book so it shouldn’t be advertised that way. It has spicy SCENES but it has a bigger theme of importance. The overall “lesson” of the book falls flat because I couldn’t overlook the medical inaccuracies. As someone who works in healthcare, I found the medical issues in this book underdeveloped and not researched enough for credibility.

I was left rather… offended and disappointed. This had a lot of potential to be an inspiring book but it was superficial and juvenile.

Unfortunately this was not my favorite read. The premise was cute, however I felt like this book did a lot of telling not showing. As a teacher, it was hard to watch two teachers with very different styles going back and forth because they didn't seem super compatible.

As a teacher, I was so excited for the premise of this one, but it definitely did not live up to expectations.

As a teacher myself I was super excited for this book. But, sadly, it was not a 5 star read for me. I didn't realize that it was a 3rd person POV so that was disappointing for me personally. The pacing was a bit slow and it definitely wasn't spicy in my opinion but it was a nice book to read to pass the time. I would recommend to those who enjoy accidental pregnancy and opposites attract. Thank you to NetGalley, the author Sidney Halston and the publisher Avon, Harper Voyager for this ARC.

this was so cute! i loved andrew and valerie so much! was i a fan of the name of the baby? no, but i did love the meaning behind it!

i loved monique a lot too, honestly, for as little as she was in it. i feel like somehow she knew they would end up together from the beginning!

i read it in one sitting with the audiobook and it kept me hooked the entire time!

This is a perfect example of not judging a book based on Good reads reviews.

3.5 Stars!

As a teacher this was a fun, quirky read. Valarie Marquez is a kindergarten teacher who loves to teach as vibrantly as possible. Then there is her classroom neighbor, Andrew Wexler, who is the exact opposite of her teaching. He has a much calmer demeanor. They are complete enemies and constantly getting scolded for their unwillingness to get along.

Until one night at the end of the school year that turns out with a very steamy ending.

They decide that they will pretend it never happened, that is until the new school year starts and they realize they will be co-teaching together for the whole year. It is an even bigger surprise when they find out there's a consequence to their one night of passion back at the end of the school year.

Together they have to learn to work together and get along, for what now is looking like the rest of their lives. From co- teaching to co-parenting… how will they figure it out?

This was a fun read. I really enjoyed Valarie’s quirky personality and how it contrasted so much with Andrew’s. I do not usually love the surprise baby trope, but this was done very nicely. I loved watching the chemistry continue to build throughout the book and how they slowly became closer.

Kindergarten teachers rival-to-lovers sounds diabolically adorable... it wasn't. it was a cute read, but the advertising for this was spicy and hot and rivals, but none of that happened. it was a cute romance about kindergarten teachers, I enjoyed it but that's it.

Some dialogue was very odd to me and I just didn’t feel so excited about it as I made my way through. It was okay, I don’t see myself rereading it.

This rom com about polar opposite Kindergarten teachers was adorable. Though to be completely honest I don't really know why the hero wanted to be a kindergarten teacher in the first place.

3.5 Stars

This was a fun romance to read, especially as someone who works in a school with plenty of individuals seemingly at odds over their teaching styles. Seeing two polar opposite Kindergarten teachers have to grapple with the reality that hate is really a lot like love while they are not only forced into sharing a class, but sharing a whoopsie of a pregnancy was at times diabolical while still being incredibly endearing and sweet.

The steamy moments in the book were hot and the pining and slow burn of the realization of love was enjoyable! Definitely a good read and one I’d absolutely recommend!

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

Love Lessons" by Sidney Halston is a captivating contemporary romance that explores the complexities of love, loss, and personal growth. The story revolves around the lives of two well-developed characters whose journeys intersect in unexpected ways, leading to a heartwarming tale that keeps readers engaged from start to finish.

One of the standout aspects of Halston's writing is her ability to create relatable characters. The protagonist, with her relatable struggles, insecurities, and aspirations, draws readers in. As she navigates the ups and downs of her romantic life, readers can’t help but root for her, making it an emotional investment. The supporting characters are also well-crafted and add depth to the narrative, contributing to a rich tapestry of relationships that feel authentic and realistic.

The plot is engaging and unfolds at a good pace, balancing romantic tension with character development. Halston skillfully weaves in themes of self-discovery and the impact of past experiences on present relationships. The way she addresses the challenges of vulnerability and trust in love resonates strongly, making the story not just a romance but a reflection on the journey toward emotional intimacy.

The chemistry between the main characters is palpable, and their interactions are filled with both lighthearted moments and deeper, more poignant exchanges. Halston has a way of writing romantic scenes that feel genuine and emotionally charged, drawing readers into the characters' world.

However, while "Love Lessons" shines in character development and emotional depth, there are moments where the pacing feels uneven, particularly toward the middle of the book. Some readers might find certain plot points a bit predictable, as familiar tropes of the romance genre make an appearance. Despite this, Halston’s engaging writing style and dialogue keep the story flowing and entertaining.

Overall, "Love Lessons" by Sidney Halston is a delightful read that combines the charm of romance with thoughtful character exploration. It’s a book for anyone who enjoys heartfelt stories about love and personal growth, filled with relatable characters and moments of genuine emotional connection. Fans of contemporary romance will likely find this book a satisfying addition to their reading list.

L

This book took me 3 months to read and not necessarily because it dragged on, but I didn't ever find myself excited to read it.

I absolutely adored the premise as an avid Abbott Elementary fan, and someone who works in an elementary school. However, I felt like the banter was forced and the connection just wasn't there. The characters weren't jumping off the page like I know they could if they had been developed in a deeper way.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.

Rating: 3/5

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Love Lessons had its moments, but ultimately, it fell short of its potential for me. At just under 300 pages, the pacing feeling uneven. The narrative alternated between dragging at a snail’s pace and then abruptly leaping forward, especially in the development of the main relationship. Some pivotal themes weren’t introduced until the final chapters, and by the time they appeared, there wasn’t enough room to explore them in depth. The rushed ending felt incomplete, leaving me wanting more closure and emotional payoff.

The relationship between the main characters was an area where I hoped for more—more depth, more chemistry, and more growth. Their dynamic as colleagues was somewhat explored, but their connection as soon-to-be co-parents lacked development. Beyond a handful of casual interactions outside of school, there wasn’t much substance to show how their bond deepened. The story often leaned on telling rather than showing, which made it hard to invest in their journey as a couple.

That said, there were aspects of the book that worked well. The rom-com tone brought plenty of humor, and I appreciated the realistic portrayal of emotions surrounding an unplanned pregnancy. The couple’s distinct personalities and full backgrounds, along with the inclusion of their mothers, added warmth and relatability to the story. The depiction of navigating the overwhelming nature of a surprise pregnancy, especially with someone you’ve clashed with for years, felt authentic and grounded.

Overall, while Love Lessons had cute and heartfelt moments, it missed the opportunity to deliver a more fully realized and emotionally satisfying story. It’s a light, enjoyable read for fans of rom-coms, but I was left wishing for more development, depth, and a stronger conclusion.

I had such high hopes for this book but it fell so flat for me. I did not get rom-com giddy, kicking my feet vibes.

Although they were enemies, it lacked in lovers. The relationship didn’t really go anywhere and it felt like the relationship was forced because they had a kid. I really wanted to root for the characters but ultimately I could not connect to them.