What
happens when you start falling for your worst enemy? Fans of Abbi Glines and
Monica Murphy will relish this addictive novel of smoking-hot seduction—and revenge
gone so wrong, it’s right.
I
wasn’t always this jaded. I had a clear head, things I wanted out of life, and
a concise plan on how to get there. For being only twenty-one, I pretty much
had it all figured out. Until the day my cousin died.
I spent months going over all the details surrounding her death, trying to
figure out how I missed the signs, and the only thing I could come up with was
she would still be alive if it wasn’t for one person: her professor. So I
transferred to his college, enrolled in his class, and set my new plan in
motion.
First I’ll seduce him. Then I’ll ruin him. I’ve just got to stay strong and not
let his charm and my emotions get the best of me. Because someone has to pay
for her death. If it’s the last thing I do, I’m going to break Noah.
Goodreads
Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23636584-breaking-noah?from_search=true
Excerpt
“So,
we’ve discussed the main plot of the novel. Now we need to search out the
subplots. What else was going on? Do the secondary characters possess any
outstanding characteristics that would encourage . . .” How is this even
warranted as a curriculum for a third-year student? I can remember doing this
when I was in high school. At least I know I’ll ace the class—not that it
matters, anyway.
Before
he has a chance to finish giving out the assignment, the majority of the class
begins shuffling around, gathering their belongings and walking toward the
door.
“Okay,
I guess our time for today is done. Finish the last five chapters before we
meet on Wednesday.” A few students groan as they’re leaving. I take this as my
cue as well.
I’m
surprised at how quickly time passes. When the room is completely empty, I
gather all my belongings and toss them into my bag. Taking a deep breath, I
slowly stand and move toward his desk. He’s watching me with a curious
expression. I half smile, drop my bag to the floor, and sit on the desk in
front of his . . . legs crossed like a lady, of course.
“So,
Zara . . . that’s a rather unique name.”
“Is
it?” I raise my eyebrows. “Nothing seems unusual anymore. The girl at the gas
station on the way here had a name tag that said Joya. You have stars calling
their babies things like North West. Zara is normal in comparison.”
“Fair
point,” he says and laughs. It’s an engaging laugh that makes me want to smile,
but I don’t. “So, your transcripts say you were taking classes at a community
college and were supposed to transfer in at the beginning of the term. Why are
you just now arriving?” His brow furrows.
“Personal
reasons. I’m very lucky I didn’t have to wait until the beginning of the next
term.” Truth be told, I barely mustered the courage to show my face here. I had
panic attacks for weeks, my mom begging me to stay behind and go to a state
school, but I remembered why I was doing all of this. So, I put my big-girl
panties on, gave myself a pep talk, and drove across two states to get here.
And I was very lucky. Had the admissions direction not known Karly I would have
been sent packing, but the man felt pity for me, which worked out in my favor.
“Your
high school transcripts have credits from all over the place. Why’d you move
around so much?” he asks.
“Army
brat,” I nonchalantly say. To anyone with common sense, that’s all the
explanation needed. Service members don’t stay in one place for too long, and
neither do their families.
“Ah.”
He nods, getting it right away. “Must be hard packing your life up all the
time?”
Back
it up, sir. I’m here to get in your head, not the other way around.
I
shrug, not liking where this is going. My life is just that . . . mine. I don’t
need anyone poking his nose around where it doesn’t belong. Especially him. I’m
here to do one thing, and I won’t let his attempts at kindness distract me from
it. Gotta keep the target locked in the crosshairs.
“It
gets easier. I’ve already read through the syllabus for this class and I’m
pretty confident I’m going to rock it.”
He
raises his eyebrow and leans back in his chair.
“Is
that so? Don’t get too cocky. I’ve heard I can be a pretty hard professor.”
So
I’ve heard, you perverted fuck.
“I’m
not cocky. Just confident,” I say, my voice cool. “If that’s all, may I be
excused? I’m supposed to meet with my counselor before she leaves for the
afternoon.”
He
stares at me for a moment and then nods. “We’ll be analyzing Pride and
Prejudice on Wednesday. We spent last week reading the material, so if you
need the extra time to catch up to everyone, that’s fine, just don’t take too
long. There’s a few sheets that go along with the book to document the
characteristics of each character. You’ll need to get with a partner for those
notes. It will be required for the final at the end of the semester.” This
is his version of hard? I’ll eat him for breakfast.
“Thanks,
Professor Bain, but if I were being honest, Pride and Prejudice is one
of my favorite books. I’ve read it at least five times. Thanks for the
heads-up, though. I’m sure I’ll be able to help anyone else that falls behind.
Who knows, one of these boys could end up being my Mr. Darcy.”
I
wink at him and walk out of the classroom, leaving him behind, lost for words.
Mosttwenty-one-year-olds don’t read, let alone read the classics. Or for fun.
Zara:
1, Professor Bain: 0
Author Info: Missy Johnson
Missy
Johnson is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who lives in a
small town in Victoria, Australia, with her husband and her confused pets (a
dog who thinks that she is a cat, a cat who thinks he is a dog . . . you get
the picture). When she’s not writing, she can usually be found looking for
something to read.
Author Info: Ashley Suzanne
Ashley Suzanne has
been writing for as long as she can remember. As a youngster, she was always
creating stories and talking to her imaginary friends. Thankfully, her parents
also carried this love of fiction, and helped her grow into the bestselling
author she is today. When Ashley isn’t coming up with her next story, you'll
most likely find her on the couch, telling her husband all about her new book
boyfriend, or spending quality time with her two gremlins . . . er, adorable
children.
