Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Loved With Romance and School/Education

- - - Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme, created at The Broke and The Bookish but now hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl, where a new topic is given for a top ten book-related list - - -

I meant to post this yesterday but of course my plan fell through. Let's pretend it's still Tuesday anyway! This week's prompt was "School Freebie" in honor of school starting up soon. We're to come up with a topic that somehow ties to school/education. Even though I've graduated and left academia almost two years ago, I still get very excited around this time because of school supplies and stationery! I was very tempted to show you my emotional support stack of untouched notebooks. Instead I've decided to split my list into two parts with the overarching theme being romance (of course). All of the books on this list are ones that I have read and enjoyed~

LOVE IN THIS CLUB SCHOOL

a.k.a. books with an academy/high school/college setting

(Click on covers for Goodreads link)

1. Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

Set in a boarding school, this book sucked me in with confusion and intrigue.

I honestly had no clue what was happening in the first couple pages.

Once all the key characters were introduced, I couldn't help but fall for the friendships, 

the loyalty and the emotional story-telling.

2. Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

Annabel's "picture-perfect" family is anything but perfect,

and she's suppressed her emotions for the longest time... until she meets Owen.

This story was heart-felt, powerful and honest. It made me cry.

I loved that this book highlighted the importance of trust and communication.

3. To All The Boys I've Loved Before Series by Jenny Han

Set in high school, we meet Lara Jean who must come face-to-face with her past loves.

This series started luring me in with fake dating and cute AF ship-moments... 

then made me stay for the precious family dynamic.

Lara Jean x Peter K 4 EVA

4. Once Upon A K-Prom by Kat Cho

This book is also set in high school but focuses around prom season.

I loved how relatable Elena was and couldn't help but root for her.

Add in super cute, charismatic musicians (K-Pop idols to be exact) and I'm caught—hook, line and sinker.

5. Dearest Clementine by Lex Martin

Set in college, Clementine needs help with her romance writing course assignments.

Enter [my love] Gavin Murphy, the adorable and goofy RA.

I do love me a good romance or mystery, and this book ended up having both!

I'M IN LOVE WITH A STRIPPER TEACHER

a.k.a. books that have a teacher/professor love interest

(Click on covers for Goodreads link)

6. The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

Fake dating a grumpy professor only to find out he is the absolute sweetest gems.

All hail STEM characters because they get my heart AND brain going.

This book was just a ton of fun to read after the first few chapters.

7. Then There Was You by Mona Shroff

This book was emotional as all heck to me.

Kindergarten teacher and a helicopter medic. Both were dealing with grief in some form.

I really enjoyed their relationship growth and how they helped

each other heal after trauma.

8. Spiral of Bliss Series by Nina Lane

I will never stop telling people how much I love Dean West, 

sexy medieval history professor and doting husband to Olivia.

This series tells the story of marriage while also giving us flashbacks of their relationship's beginning.

I honestly didn't like Olivia at first but her character growth was by far my favourite.

The heat factor is also through the roof.

9. Back To You by Priscilla Glenn

Another emotional one here!

It all started with an unlikely friendship in high school that grew to be more.

Friends-to-lovers and second chance romance.

This book was beautifully written and had me sobbing by the end.

10. Teach Me by Olivia Dade

We have not just one teacher but TWO in this book.

All the big-brain energy between our main characters had me grinning.

There's plus-size rep and communication/consent emphasis, yes!