It pained me how much a writing prof struggled with homophones--"put on the breaks," etc. And the characterization of the MC was weird, and the whole thing kind of weirdly-paced.

That said, I'm a sucker for teacher student romances and, like Elle, a sucker for reserved, willowy blondes. Sigh. ( )

Given the book’s title, I expected Hunter wore her jacket for a deeper reason. Honestly, this was my only disappointment in the story. Overall, reading the book had me glued me to my seat reading, minus potty breaks. Elle and Hunter are cute together. Sure Elle has her flaws, but Hunter’s proves she’s more than willing to help Elle face them. The controversy over their teacher-student and ten-year age gap was mind-boggling. I’m not sure I understand what the big fuss is about. Elle was still jumping rope and popping bubbles with her gum when Hunter was born. Also, their romantic relationship didn’t begin until after their teacher-relationship ended. Overall, the story is well-paced, the minor characters are likeable, and the sex scenes are steamy (maybe one-sided in a few scenes). The book has a sense of finality so I’m curious how the author extends Elle and Hunter’s journey in [b:New Beginnings|22431559|New Beginnings (Winter Jacket, #2)|Eliza Lentzski|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1402015515s/22431559.jpg|41853172], [b:Finding Home|25509539|Finding Home (Winter Jacket, #3)|Eliza Lentzski|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1433098909s/25509539.jpg|45289062],[b:All In|30171938|All In (Winter Jacket, #4)|Eliza Lentzski|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1463016268s/30171938.jpg|50612677]. ( )

This probably wasn't the book for me to read. I was hesitant to begin with because it involved a teacher and student. That's not really my kind of thing. Then it was so bloody slow (ironically, I've seen reviews saying it's too fast, meh, can't displease everyone the same way. hehe)

Right, so below is what I wrote as I read it. I suggest not reading it. I kind of got a little annoyed and used words I shouldn't have.

I probably could have given this an extra 1/2 star if I could. Even a full extra star if the melodrama had been cut down a little bit.

This is one of the most bloody frustrating books I've read. Super slow paced. I kind of hate Elle. The woman who wants to not be alone, but appears to abhor the thought of actually dating anyone. Especially if that someone is gorgeous and into her. Especially if there is some age difference. Bloody frustrating fucking book.

Bloody frustrating. There's this one specific woman she is always fantasizing about. That specific woman keeps flirting with her. But Elle keeps pushing Hunter away.

Then there are these super weird moments. Like Hunter turns up soaking wet from rain. Elle allows her inside. Offers her a towel. And a shirt. Then makes some weird comment to herself that "the shirt might have been inappropriate enough" after dismissing the thought of offering pants and a shirt. What the fuck? Push her into the bathroom. Close door. Offer her towel and change of clothing. What the fuck is inappropriate to offer a drenched girl clothing to slip into? As it is, it looks like you want her to strip, towel off, and put on . . . just a shirt. And freezing. Since "usually kept my house a few degrees chillier than necessary in the fall to save on heating bills." So. Dripping wet. And you offer just a towel and a shirt because offering more would be inappropriate? What the fuck?

Elle really fucking annoys me. Of course Hunter then has to beg to have pants to go with the shirt. Because Elle's a fucking moron. And thought even offering as much as the shirt was inappropriate. Apparently it would be more appropriate, in Elle's mind, for Hunter to strip naked and have a towel as her only clothing. That or stand there in dripping wet clothing and slowly freeze to death. Yes. That's a lot more fucking appropriate than being given a change of clothing. hehehe. As it is, the shirt she did offer was so fucking thin that Hunter's breasts were quite obvious once she had changed into them. hehe. Elle, the prim and proper professor who keeps trying to push Hunter away, and for that matter all women (for whatever fucking stupid reason), accidentally gets Hunter to stand near her in borrowed clothing that is quite revealing. Because, as I've mentioned, Elle is a fucking moron.

This whole fucking book is frustrating. It's funny, to myself, in a way. Because I was ready to toss this book near the beginning. When it looked like Hunter and Elle fucked days away before the semester ended. Days away from it being okay for them to fuck. But it had just been a dream. Then, afterwards, all that fucking time, when Elle was free to peruse Hunter without any teacher-student issues getting in the way, and with Elle doing everything in her power to keep away. So . . . this has both. Icky inappropriate teacher-student interaction, which only after the fact turns out to be a dream, then stupid fucking moronic behavior by a fucking moron. Is that too many morons in the same sentence? I don't care. Elle is a fucking immature moron.

"It nearly stole my breath how natural and right our hands felt together when I knew everything about this was wrong." - As thought by Elle. When with Hunter. As I said, Elle's a fucking moron. It's just sooo wroooongggg. Fucking immature moron. Obsessively fixated on age differences.

Oh, and by the way? Do or do not. Don't hang in the middle. Really think it is wrong? Strongly express that, that you find the other gorgeous but the age thing is just too much for you. Don't fuck her while thinking it is wrong. Don't keep pushing her away then pulling her back in. Do or do not. Fucking moron and fucking tease.

Of course, to be fair, all the above was written with only 40% of the book read. Though the rest of the book didn't start off well. What with fucking Hunter, feeling weird about it, and at the first opportunity afterwards, heading off to have a talk with her, Elle's, ex-girlfriend. What the fuck?

This is a really fucking wordy book. hehe. Weirdly wordy in certain places, weirdly lacking in others (like describing every bloody thing around her, then just causally mentioning having had a conversation with her friends about Hunter, but not actually producing the conversation event for readers to, you know, experience).

"'Because speaking as someone whose heart you've recently trampled,' she unnecessarily added, 'it's a total bitch to not be on the same page as you.'" - well, at least the ex-girlfriend gives good advice.

You know, all this talk about age really ruined things for me. I mean, after a while, when they actually dated, it seemed like I was watching the interactions of a six foot tall 40 year old with a pretty smart 13 year old of roughly four feet flat. When in reality, they were nine years apart in age, and roughly the same height. Hell, they could wear each others clothing without too much problem. So, thanks. The book made a normal lovely relationship into one where I felt icky just reading about it. Thanks a fucking lot. (Probably doesn't help that, at times, Hunter kept asking for permission for certain things, like sitting down.)

"Her lips twisted. 'Next time you're not sure how I feel about something, just ask.'" - so says Hunter to Elle. Apparently, Elle's fucking moronic act continued. I mean, she was even given this advice by her ex-girlfriend. But had to have it given again by Hunter. Fucking moron.

"Her backpack was apparently a clown car." - page 130 of 242. hehe. Okay, if Elle doesn't fuck it all up, I might be able to stop with all the bashing. And just enjoy. I kinda doubt that's going to happen, but my hopes have been raised.

Hmm. And the scene wherein Hunter took control somewhere around the half-way point of the book was quite exciting.

Well. That didn't take long. Back to hating the book. Sure, like I didn't have problems before, why not bring in a really pushy ex by the name of Ruby? Sure sure, why the fuck not? And Elle keeps talking about how she's so dominate. Talking about herself, I mean. When the fuck is she ever dominate? Fuck. I'm reading a fucking soap opera.

Elle didn't want to decline going out with Ruby because she didn't want to explain to Hunter who Ruby was, specifically who she was in her life (ex-lover, not friend). Elle then, after Ruby leaves, explains who Ruby is, re: ex-lover. I give points for actually communicating, I deduct points for agreeing, even if reluctantly, to go to dinner with Ruby. So . . . meh.

I need to stop writing reviews while reading. Makes my reviews look like babbling. But . . whatever. So, I'm at 63% now. Let's see more fuck-ups, eh? Fucking hell. I really fucking need to stop reading soap opera books. Me not like.

hahaha (my sarcastic laugh). Yeah, I knew things would get fucked up yet again. The whole Ruby thing was stupid. But, meh.

hahaha times 2. Fucking hell. BDSM? Seriously? You have a young woman very very unsure of herself, her place in the world, and her place in a relationship and not really wanting anything to do with BDSM but she doesn't want to lose Elle. So . . . . let's go ahead and fuck things up more? No, I 'm not saying BDSM is fucked up, I'm saying this is fucked up. Pushing an insecure, whimpering, literally whimpering and confused and scared woman to do something. Seriously? (see, this is what happens when you write while reading. The BDSM part was in and out so quickly, and it didn't even matter, which is why I struck it out).

Too a certain extent, Elle and Hunter are horrible together. Why? Because Elle keeps tiptoeing around, Hunter keeps being confused by all that, and they are both too fucking . . . hmm. Elle has major hang-ups that cause her massive problems being with Hunter. Hunter is very insecure. Elle keeps reinforcing that, accidentally, because she doesn't to push Hunter too hard. So she keeps back. Thus reinforcing Hunter's insecurity. So, as I said, they are horrible together.

"I'd always thought relationships should be the easiest thing in your life." - that might be the dumbest thing I've ever read.

( )

One of my favorite reads as of late! I couldn't put it down. ( )

Winter Jacket is a May-December romance (the age gap is just 10 years so nothing shocking there) but it is compounded by the fact that the protagonists are a teacher and a student. Nothing overly unethical happens though, so no worries there. The romance is sweet. The development is slow and enjoyable. The sex is really hot. The characters were well-rounded, and sufficiently conflicted about their relationship, but willing to make a go of it. External pressures like parental disapproval and school politics provide some angst. Overall, an enjoyable read. ( )