The first time we met was at a party.
Your ex arrived to show off the person he'd left you for last month, and you asked me to pretend to be your date.
I was more than happy to help. You were attractive, smart and witty--and that kiss we shared? It left me wanting you for days.
The second time we met was in my office on campus where we were both surprised to discover you were the new master’s degree student in poetry that I would be working with. You promised to be professional. I did no such thing.
The late nights and intense study sessions spent alongside you majorly throw me off my game. I want you, and I fight with myself daily over this fact.
I know I'm crass, that my sexual innuendos and dirty mouth annoy you, but I live for those two bright spots of color in your cheeks. If that's the only reaction I can get out of you, I'll gladly take it.
You hate Mondays so every Monday I slip an anonymous poem into your bag and your smile gets me through the week.
I think I'm falling for you, and I know it's wrong. I know that I'm only supposed to be your adviser and nothing more, but here's the thing. I think you're falling for me too.
xo, Zach
Poppy is so much more than initially meets the eye. She's smart, funny, protective and caring. She's guarded-for reasons I won't spoil-but I really liked seeing that part of her. I understood her reasons for acting the way she did (most of the time) and her actions and reactions were incredibly authentic and believable. I truly enjoyed Poppy's journey.
Zach? Omg, hello swoon. This man is easily one of my favorite Kendall Ryan book boyfriends. He's so quick witted, so smart. I was drooling the second he rolled up his shirtsleeves...which was very early on in the book. The words that flowed from this character were pure poetry and just so deliciously sweet-and other times so sexy. His brand of dirty talk was one I could definitely be on board with. I loved his sense of self. I loved how he cared for, and about, Poppy. Seriously, I just loved everything about him.
These two together have such a fun meet cute that you can't help but smile. There were moments between them that had me chuckling, more than a few that had me sighing, and some that had me fanning myself. The progression of their relationship happened in a completely logical way to me. It worked for them. These two have just such natural chemistry and oh, the fireworks they have in the bedroom-seriously, have a fan ready ;) you'll thank me later.
The supporting characters in this book were an absolute blast! Zach's mom might be my favorite book parent, ever. She had me cracking up. Poppy's neighbors were a treat as well; I would love to see these characters again! That being said, they didn't overwhelm Zach and Poppy by any means, they just added a little extra icing on the cake, so to speak.
The writing here was sharp and at times oh so sweet. The dialogue between Zach and Poppy? I loved every word. The pacing of the book worked for me. I loved Kendall Ryan's spin on this scenario. It felt new and unique. This is a book I'll go back and reread. I loved xo, Zach and highly recommend it.
This is one of those titles, and I enjoyed it. Zach just wants to be with Poppy, from that first kiss engineered to make Poppy's ex jealous, through all of the times she pushes him away, and walks away, and through all of the surprises that she brings with the life she has and the things in her past...he just doesn't care. He wants her.
I love the way Kendall Ryan handles this, too. Zach isn't oblivious to challenges, he just doesn't let them stop him...he figures it out, because what he wants, more than anything, is to be with Poppy. And, anything less than that just doesn't work for him.
I also thought the author, Kendall Ryan, handled this well. It would be easy for Zach to come across as unrealistic because of how determined he is to work things out with Poppy, and to not let anything get in the way (even when she pushes him away) but the character and the story is handled well. It's handled in such a way where you believe him, and his passion for Poppy, without thinking he is being an idiot to continue to want her.
I enjoyed this title, and I recommend it.
"This is serious, Poppy. Will you promise?" "What am I promising?" This man had a way of getting me to say things, to feel things, to admit things that I might not have otherwise. I wasn't sure if it was because he was older and wiser and that much more cunning at these types of discussions, or if it was just because being near him seemed to physically lower my inhibitions. He was like a walking shot of tequila. "I need you to promise me that if anything physical happens between us—that it will be very consensual, and very sex-positive. I need you to understand that I will worship you and make you come So. Many. Fucking Times." He annunciated those words so clearly and slowly, I felt them with every beat of my heart, every pulse of heat between my legs. Oblivious to my hammering heart, Zach continued. "But I also need you to know that if I do or say anything you don't like, all you have to do is say so and everything will stop. Just the word no, Poppy. Use it and I promise to leave you alone." "Leave me alone as in stop mentoring me, stop helping me in the program?" His face was serious and he shook his head without even considering it. "I will never stop mentoring you, as long as you want it. Giving in to our attraction—or not—will never be a condition for my help. I want you to succeed, and it has nothing to do with how much I want you in my bed. Do you understand that?" I felt myself nodding my head. I knew what he was saying. Despite how aggressively Zach put his feelings on the subject of us out there—I knew he'd never betray my wishes. "Okay," I murmured. He considered me for a long moment, neither of us blinking. "Why did you approach me that night at the party, Poppy. Did you find me attractive?" Was he fucking serious? Of course I find him attractive. Actually, attractive was too weak a word. I found him mesmerizing. Addictive. Enchanting. Impossible. "I'm not saying I do, but if I wanted something to happen ..." I swallowed a wave of nerves and took a shallow breath as Zach's mouth curved into a grin. "Something as in finding out how many times in a row I can make you come using my mouth, my hands, and my ..." I held up one hand. "Yes. That. How would it work, isn't it, like, forbidden?" God, why did the word forbidden make me feel even hotter?
A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of more than two dozen titles, Kendall Ryan has sold over 1.5 million books and her books have been translated into several languages in countries around the world. She's a traditionally published author with Simon & Schuster and Harper Collins UK, as well as an independently published author. Since she first began self-publishing in 2012, she's appeared at #1 on Barnes & Noble and iBooks charts around the world. Her books have also appeared on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists more than three dozen times. Ryan has been featured in such publications as USA Today, Newsweek, and InTouch Magazine. Visit her at: www.kendallryanbooks.com for the latest book news, and fun extras
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