Her professor just saw her mostly naked. Awkwardness is guaranteed to ensue. Proceeds for the month of release go to College Track (501c3), providing college scholarships and resources for vulnerable / limited resource populations. At collegetrack.orgWhat do you do when your freakishly smart and wickedly sarcastic Research Methods professor sees you mostly naked? You befriend him, of course. … ‘Kissing Galileo’ is the second book in the Dear Professor series, is 60k words, and can be read as a standalone. A shorter version of this story (40k words) was entitled ‘Nobody Looks Good Naked’ and was available via Penny Reid’s newsletter for free over the course of 2018-19.
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Kissing Galileo (Dear Professor #2) by Penny Reid is a contemporary, new adult, slow burn, friends to lovers, student/teacher romantic comedy told in first person, dual POV. It is book two in the Dear Professor series and can be read as a standalone. It follows the relationship between a college student, Emily, and her professor, Victor. Despite the student/teacher trope, it is not a forbidden romance.
The story begins with an awkward moment where Victor sees Emily “stage three naked” at her place of employment. The air is charged with the chemistry between them. She’s unsure if he recognized her as one of his students, but when she’s back in his class it becomes apparent that he did. A rule follower with a strong moral compass, Victor, immediately puts measures in place to protect Emily from potential bias while she’s his student. They share a kiss, but then he makes it very clear that nothing will happen between them because he’ll never date a student. Emily and Victor develop a friendship and their feelings progress as they spend time together. But there are many issues to overcome if they’re ever going to get on the same page.
I loved Emily and Victor’s story. I read each installment of Nobody Looks Good Naked in Penny Reid’s newsletter and then purchased it upon release. So although it’s my first time reading Kissing Galileo, it’s my second time reading Emily and Victor’s story and I enjoyed it even more the second time around. It brilliantly tackles issues of body image with grace, sensitivity and the smart humor that has become Penny Reid’s trademark. Witty, illuminating, romantic, and sweet – I highly recommend it!
I could have read each chapter of this delightful book in Penny’s newsletter – which I get and adore – but I skipped it. On purpose. Because I was holding out for the book! I got this signed copy from her last year and have happily added it to my collection.
I laughed out loud several times. Snorted several more. Swooned many a time over.
Yet, this covered some super serious topics. (How does she do that? Mix the heavy in with the light?). The professor thing, was expected, and handled well. I typically don’t like a student/professor relationship, and it’s why I delayed reading this for a year. But he was so cognizant of not taking advantage of his position of power, it was a nonissue. The weight/self-image thing was unexpected. I had no clue it would be a thing, much less how – but I loved how it was written, handled, and resolved (or not).
Highly recommend this sweet little gem of a book!!
One of my favorite Penny Reid books. Read in a day. Didn’t want to stop to sleep or do chores. Unique story line where hero was once obese and still dealing with issues related to that. Heroine is funny, strong and smart.
Not just a pretty face…
This review is a wee bit spoilerish, please proceed with caution.
I made an executive decision that I wasn’t going to read Nobody Looks Good Naked that was originally released in instalments in Penny Reid’s newsletter. For starters, I’m too impatient to wait for my story in instalments. Secondly, I need to get my highs and lows on my terms and at my pacing. I can’t take my hits without knowing that with the turn of a page, I can (hopefully) see rainbows. So, I patiently waited for Kissing Galileo to be born.
I finished reading Kissing Galileo this morning and I’ve been contemplating what to share in my review. Now, to be honest, this does not mean this review is going to me monumentally thought-provoking and deep because I have a nasty head cold. I’m a wee bit loopy and my eyelids feel like they weigh a tonne, but I’m determined to share my thoughts and feelings on how much this story affected me. Now, bear with me, this could get way, way random rambling…ish and I probably will make huge generalisations.
Isn’t it amazing that we can be so influenced by a person’s looks? I can’t help but look at good-looking people and judge them to have everything going for them. Good looks will open doors, get you noticed and make you popular. But, what if that good-looking person is actually shy and reserved, hates attention and feels overwhelmed when people stare? Would you know just from looking at them? Would it stop you from staring? We don’t know what’s beneath their clothes, under their skin or what they’ve lived through. Kissing Galileo has made reminded me to stop judging on the outside and consider their insides as well, scars and all.
I’m happy with the way I look now but my weight and height have always been something I’m self-conscious about. I’m 173cm tall and big-boned which means I’m significantly bigger than my mum and sisters who fit under my chin. Sure, they wish they had my height, but I wish I didn’t tower over them. When you’re the odd one out you feel like everyone compares you. I understood Victor’s self-consciousness when people stared. Sometimes you just want to be the same as everyone else.
I couldn’t understand or comprehend why Victor wasn’t strutting his stuff with the changes he made happen. I get that he felt manipulated in how he got to where he was, but it was him that did all the hard work, not the douchewaffle who pushed him to take the first step. I guess the thing is, if you’ve never been a strutter, it’s hard to suddenly become one. I’ve strutted when I’ve felt good and I’ve skulked around with baseball cap and sunnies when I’ve felt bad. For me, the highs and lows, the good and bad were all about how comfortable I am in my skin. So, I guess, I do understand and comprehend Victor after all.
Should a professor be attracted to his/her student? Should a professor have a relationship with a student? Honestly, I don’t have a problem with it if it’s handled in a mature and professional way. Kissing Galileo did not come across as creepy or gross because Emily was very mature and intelligent. Victor, once he acknowledged his attraction, put things in place to make sure there was no bias. The falling for the professor part of the story was very minor and not at all about a taboo relationship.
I absolutely loved that Emily and Victor valued each other’s minds and just accepted that they were fortunate enough to be attracted to each other’s looks as well. Even with their strong attraction, they decide that friendship would be better for them both. Victor is still working through some issues and Emily is not sure she wants to risk her heart on someone she knows could break it.
I really, really enjoyed Kissing Galileo and I loved that Penny Reid brought her *A* game to this story. Emily and Victor are marvellous individually, but together they were amazing. The additional characters, Anna and Andy were exactly what a friendship is all about and I loved them for it. The love story had its bumps, but I was convinced of their happy ever after by the end. Eventually, they learnt to communicate better and trust that they were together than apart. There weren’t a lot of sexy times but when they did happen, they were HOT!!
I’m so sorry for this rambling review. If you’re a Penny Reid fan and didn’t get a chance to read her newsletter, you should definitely give this one a go.
Just remember, there’s a story behind every pretty picture.
Peace, love and happiness to all.
I tend to read and write lots of BBW (big beautiful woman) books. This was like one of those with the twist. The H was the one who struggled with issues related to his body image and his weight. I found that to be a very nice departure. I love Penny Reid’s stories with all of her quirky, witty, and whip-smart characters.
I didn’t read this in installments via her newsletter. I would scroll by it super fast because I wanted to wait and read it all at once. I love Victor. Greg has been my #1 guy since he was first introduced way back in the day but I’m thinking that Victor might be taking his spot. Yeah, the more I think about everything in this story, Victor is for sure nudging Greg over. This is such a great book. I was really feeling it. Hard. Definitely reread worthy for sure.
I’m so grateful Penny Reid is as prolific as she is. When I discovered her, I had a wealth of romances to wallow in. Now that I’ve caught up with her, I’m sad to finish each book, but I know a new one is just around the corner. While I’m already jonesing for the next one, Kissing Galileo gave me some yummy feels to coast on for a bit. Victor and Emily’s attraction is palpable. And they both give sexy brain! Flawed and formidable, principled and passionate, these two characters have intriguing depth and inspiring courage. I think Penny Reid is secretly helping her readers to grow their own emotional intelligence—while also giving them tummy flutters and hot flashes. And the occasional splutter of laughter. Love, love, love her.
This was another wonderful read. It was a sweet love story. I definitely recommend this book, and this author.