She’s about to break her university’s rules and date a student… Come to the dark side, where the romance is still sweet. Cassandra Caldwell wants one thing: to keep her twin brothers safe. After her mother’s death, she took them in and relocated to Forbidden Lake, where she’s done whatever she could to keep them off the radar of their convict father. She’s working two jobs, including as a … including as a culinary instructor at the local college, when she finds out he’s out on parole. As if she isn’t stressed enough, when a man enrolls in her special needs course and refuses to transfer out, Cassie wonders if she should just take her brothers and leave town. Again.
But she’s tired of running, and Jonathan Addler is drop-dead gorgeous—and good in the kitchen. But the college has had a recent student-teacher scandal and a relationship with him is strictly forbidden…at least if Cassie wants to keep her job. She does, but she also wants Jon, badly.
Jon originally signed up for the introductory cooking class to impress another woman and get one step closer to graduating to impress his father. But the moment he lays eyes on Cassie, he’s smitten. Any risk is worth being with her, and they agree to keep their budding romance on the down-low.
The way down-low, especially once Cassie gets notified that she’s up for a promotion at the college that would allow her to give up her second job. As she and Jon carry on their relationship behind closed doors, he falls harder and harder for her. But she can’t really commit to a relationship when she has emergency escape bags packed and in the trunk of her car.
Can Jon convince her Forbidden Lake is safe and to stay with him? Or will she run again, shattering her heart—and his—in the process?
This darkly sweet romance from USA Today bestselling author, Elana Johnson, will have you flipping pages until you learn every last, delicious secret.
This series is definitely sweet romance at its core, exactly what you expect from Elana.
Sweet, dark, delicious romances – kind of like your favorite chocolates.
But they’re suspense novels too, with a hint of danger in several aspects of the story…. Flirt with danger and read today!
New books in this series coming every 2 weeks!
1. The Professor’s Secret Crush
2. The Lumberjack’s Secret Guest
3. The Owner’s Secret Client
4. The Billionaire’s Secret Flame
5. The Rock Star’s Secret Weakness
6. The Biker’s Secret Girlfriend
more
Cassie hides her twin half brothers from their convict father. Could her life get more complicated? Throw in handsome Jon Addler and the twists and turns begin. Sweet romance with a bit of suspense.
Another clean romance that I enjoyed.
Cassie has twin brothers she cares for after her Mom died. The father is a convict and Cassie moves to Forbidden Lake to prevent all of them from being found. She manages to get a job at the local college teaching a cooking class–hoping that they will hire her full time so she can quit her second job.
Jonathan, an adult, signs up for the class even though he is not supposed to be in that particular class. He is trying to finish his degree—–finally finish his degree. He has to work hard because Cassie is afraid that someone will figure out he is an illegal student.
Teachers and students are not allowed to date but they find ways. Jonathan is not going to give up Cassie!
Her father somehow finds them—and trouble occurs. Will Cassie and Jonathan and the twins find happiness in this sweet and clean cozy? I thoroughly enjoyed this novel with its occasional twists and turns!!
Cute charming story of a young couple in real love!
I love this author and also read her inspirational romance pen name. Which means, when I encounter a book with a story line (professor and student) that I would absolutely never pick up, I grab it, because I trust her and know it’s going to be written in such a way that any fears and reluctance I have are washed away. I have to admit to being on edge a bit, but it all turned out, as predicted. A romance that has all the feels and a bit of suspense.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I like the plot (some mystery), the fireworks banta between Cassie & Jon & the HEA. I look forward to reading more in the series.
ARC for honest review with no compensation
The Professor’s Secret Crush is book 1 in the new series Forbidden Lake by Elana Johnson and also a new writing style for her too…
Cassie and her twin brothers are in hiding from the boys convict father who at any time could be released from jail. She teaches culinary classes at the local college in Forbidden Lake but also teaches a special needs class. When Jonathan Addler signs up for her special needs class she tries to get him to drop out since he doesn’t have any special needs other than to learn to cook for another woman.
Major attraction between student and teacher which is against college rules, convict father looking for his boys, twists, turns, romantic suspense will keep you on the edge and turning pages….
Loved It
Cassie moved to Forbidden Lake to get her half brothers to safety and hide from their dad while he was in jail, he’s up for parole. She teaches culinary arts at the college and works part time at the bakery. Jon signs up for class, it is designed to teach special needs students to cook. But her step father gets parole, she falls for Jon, and a whole lot more happens.
A university professor tries to “non-date” a student. It’s got lots of funny moments, but also addresses some really serious issues when a violent family member is released from jail. Enjoyed it all!
I have to say this is one of my favorites in this series. The unspoken love between the two. The mystery holding Andy back from telling Sami his feelings and the danger lurking is makings of a great story. I received a complimentary copy and this review is voluntary.
I loved this book! Highly recommend
A great new series by Elana Johnson! Dating a student is not an option for professors. Cassie has the responsibility for providing for her brothers and protecting them from a criminal father. But Jon is not the usual student and wants a relationship with Cassie. Don’t miss this sweet, suspenseful love.
I didn’t want this story to end! The Professor’s Secret Crush definitely surpassed all my expectations and more. Cassie and Jon’s story grabs your attention from the start and only ramps up when danger enters Cassie’s life and threatens the lives of those she holds most dear. A wonderful start to the Forbidden Lake Romance series and I’m definitely looking forward to the next one.
Jon is Cassie’s student so they shouldn’t date should they? They are near the same age so I was fine with them together. This is a romance but also a has an element of suspense. Their relationship evolved – and there was angst but….. A great start to this series. Looking forward to book 2. I received a copy and this my honest review.
I must admit, I have read many different novels by Elena Johnson, but I was worried about this new style of fiction she was going to try writing. I am typically of the mind that if its not broke don’t fix it; however, I am really glad that Ms. Johnson did not stay I’m her box and that she decided to venture out to begin something new. “The Professor’s Secret Crush” is not as forbidden as it sounds, but there is just a hint of priority to keep reader’s on the edge of their seat. I must admit, I enjoyed the secret romance and with the added bonus of danger lurking around the corner- well this plotline could not be beat. Definitely a wonderful short story, one that I was able to finish the day I picked it up because it was so good. I’ve always loved Elana Johnson and I love her even more with her new style of writing to go with the rest!
Absolutely loved this book. I am a big fan of Elana Johnson, and Liz Isaacson, and have read almost every book she has written. I really love this new series. I love what some call “cozy mysteries” and this book really was enjoyable. I read it all in one day, didn’t want to put it down. It is a sweet romance mixed with a bit of mystery and a bad guy and a wonderful read. It is sweet and warm and I loved it.
Romantic suspense has got to be one of my favorite kinds of books. Part psychological thriller and part romance, this was an excellent example of the style. The chemistry between Cassie and Jon is immediately evident. It’s lust at first sight and the author does a beautiful job of deepening that initial attraction and showing us the couple as they fall deeper in love. I’m sure it comes from being an only child with very little close extended family, but I adore reading about close-knit families. This is an author who writes them skillfully. The familial bonds between Cassie and her brothers and Jon and his siblings paint a picture of families who will do anything for one another. I can’t wait to read more about the Addlers and Forbidden Lake.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book from the author.