Tutoring the Player by Rebecca Jenshak

This book is perfection. It’s sweet and a bit steamy but with enough drama to make it completely addictive. With Tutoring the Player, I’ve found my new favorite by this author.   

When the book starts, we find the unassuming wallflower Daisy pining over her crush, Liam. He’s a popular hockey player and has class with Daisy and his best friend, Jordan. Where Liam is the good, affable guy, Jordan seems to be the opposite. He’s a notorious player and almost comes off a bit apathetic but never unlikable. Daisy’s lab partner in the class she shares with Jordan and Liam drops the class, which leaves Daisy being paired with the guys during labs. Very quickly, it becomes apparent to Jordan that Daisy has a little crush on Liam, and he’s unsettled by this for different reasons that come to light eventually. Little by little, Jordan and Daisy become closer, and through the story we find their relationship going from polite lab partners to something much more.  

Jordan and Daisy are everything! Watching their tentative friendship bloom into so much more was just the sweetest. They go from not really being interested in each other, especially by Daisy who had her crush on Liam at the beginning, to building a friendship and then slowly the sparks start to fly. Their chemistry is undeniable and seeing their relationship bloom definitely put a smile on my face. I love this sort of romance, because I love experiencing that sense of falling in love through characters like these. The way Jordan and Daisy’s emotions jumped off the pages and the evolution of their relationship made it so I couldn’t put this book down.

I loved the Pride and Prejudice vibes I got from this book, too. Jordan and Daisy come from different worlds that exist on the same plane, but that can’t stop them from coming together eventually. I’m not going to ruin it for you (you’ll know when you read the part), but there’s an instance when one of them has a very Mr. Darcy moment. I was loving the book before that part, but I think that’s the point where I undoubtedly fell in love with this book. It’s seriously that good. I mean, what romance-book lover doesn’t love a seemingly Austen-inspired moment?

Also, something Jenshak does so well is she creates the perfect pacing of her stories. I don’t think I’ve ever read one of her books and thought it’s either too fast or too slow, and moreover I’ve never thought I needed more or less. Her works are always balanced and paired with the characters and storylines she comes up with, her books are solidly good. Like every time. I think that’s why she’s one of my absolute favorite romance authors around.

With this book, Jenshak’s written yet another awesome start to a series. I have a feeling that the Campus Wallflowers series may become my favorite of all hers, and I can’t wait for the next book!