What do you do when you discover that your super-hot blind date from months ago is now your super-hot Russian Lit professor?You overthink everything and pray for a swift end to your misery, of course!
The hottest part of this book was Luca. He was the gorgeous professor that had to deal with his students (and me) falling in love with him. He was incredibly cerebral and it was impossible not to squirm at the way his brain worked or for how passionately he would debate his argument. Don’t you just love when a man’s intelligence, and not just his utter beauty, is what really turns you on? While I found his aloof manner and awkwardness absolutely adorable, when it came to Anna… not so much. She drove me nuts and upset me SO MUCH, but I think that was the point. At least I hope it was. As a geek/nerd girl, I love seeing myself represented in books, but I found it hard to relate to Anna. She was immature and acted like a brat and I’m tired of using age as an excuse. I think it was a matter of book smarts vs. street smarts and she severely lacked the latter. Navigating social relationships and conversations didn’t seem to be her forte no matter how many times she found it necessary to tell me, the reader, that she was quite proficient. Nope. She wasn’t. But I loved this girl’s big brain.
Kissing Tolstoy was a sweet and charming student/teacher romance that made me fall deeply in love with Dr. Luca. He was perfection! I’ll take him with leather pants or bowties or button-down shirts or t-shirts or a brown paper bag. I’ll take him however I can get him!!
Author
meegzreads
3 years ago
*3.5 – 4 Stars*
I’m not really 100% sure what to say about this book. I liked it, don’t get me wrong, but I didn’t love it.
I’m not too sure how I feel about our male lead, Luca. For me, I think he was a bit harsh and rude at times. I did really like Anna though, our main female lead. She was a great character.
I have not read any of the Russian works mentioned in this book, and so at times, I wasn’t 100% following the conversations between Luca and Anna, as I couldn’t understand what they were referring to. That said though, when they weren’t discussing those things in depth, the book was easy to follow.
There is a lot of back and forth between the characters about whether or not they will be together, if they actually like each other, are they good enough for each other, etc etc. The book is quite short, but the majority of it is spent like that.
This is a Penny Reid book, so it was bound to be good, its just not one of my faves. Although I will continue the series when the next one is released.
Author
carolinefrimston
3 years ago
Another fabulous read from this wonderful author!
“Leather pants. Bowties. Stern expressions. All things that shouldn’t be attractive, but were damn sexy on Luca Kroft.”
When Anna Harris first meets Luca Kroft, it’s weird, funny and electrifying! It was also a case of the mistaken identity and she ends up running out on him. Imagine her mortification when he turns out to be her brilliant, new professor.
“She smells like wildflowers and quiet libraries, redolent of peace and exuberance.”
This story gave me butterflies all the way through. It was a delicious, intellectual and amusing read that was full of sexiness and suppressed desire. Anna is super smart, quirky and direct. I loved her spark and awkwardness. I adored Luca! I loved the two sides of him – the biker guy and the erudit Russian Lit professor. Together they were dynamic and fit each other perfectly. Totally recommend!
Author
lsimpson
3 years ago
This book was great – just too short! I’m used to reading longer, drawn out stories and this one caught me by surprised. That said, it was enjoyable. The female lead is very funny, has an original voice and is not stereotypical in any way. I like this best about Penny Reid’s books. I also like the male lead. He is sensitive, brooding and romantic.
The story doesn’t contain a lot of action due to the length, but it is a pleasant read about a slightly taboo love affair between a professor and a student.
Author
elle
3 years ago
I really love this book! This book is my perfect kind of nice. I freaking love Professor Kroft! This book makes me want to read Russian Literature. I wanna devour all Penny’s books.
Author
katytinnin
3 years ago
Gah! Anna and Luca’s story was perfect! I love the student teacher trope and this one was a refreshing take on it. Written very smartly, I loved the interaction between the characters. It was filled with emotion without being totally burdened down with a heavy angst angle. This was my first Penelope Reid book and definitely won’t be my last.
Author
jills
3 years ago
Why has it taken me this long to read this book? It was completely lovely and smart and so, so entertaining! The two main characters, a broody professor/rebel and nerdy beauty/confident woman, were perfect together. They kept each other (and the reader) on their toes with their intellect and strong wills, and the resulting discourse was so fun and sexy. Penny Reid is the queen of smart, funny romance. I MUST catch up on all of her books! She’s a keeper. 5 stars for Kissing Tolstoy!
Author
juliek
3 years ago
When your love life is less than acceptable, you hesitate to accept a blind date that your best friend wants to lead you blindly upon. Why is it that a smart and intelligent gal can’t find a date? After a little soul searching, Anna decides to send the email inviting her blind date to meet. What she discovers is a sexy hunk of a man in leather pants. Who knew leather pants could look so good??
As far as blind dates go, this one is unbelievably successful. That was until the moment when Anna learns that she emailed the wrong person! In spite of the obvious attraction, Anna bolts from the meeting determined to put the situation and Luca behind her. What Anna didn’t expect was to run across those sexy pants once again.
With summer session in full swing, Anna signs up for a Russian Lit class. Imagine the surprise when Anna discovers that her Professor is none other than Luca! Tensions swirl between the two. Fate demanding that Luca and Anna deal with the wavering tension and energy that surrounds them. How will the Professor deal with the student that has captivated him like no other in his life? Only time will tell if the images of those leather pants disappear as fast as the wind…..
Can I start by telling you how insanely funny and engaging Kissing Tolstoy was for me??? If you wondered where this amazing piece of writing came from then look no further than Penny Reid’s newsletter. Kissing Tolstoy was previously release in a shorter version within Reid’s newsletter but was entitled Nobody Looks Good in Leather Pants. Now the extended version is here for your enjoyment and is now the first book in the Dear Professor series.
What can I tell you about this book besides the fact it is written by PENNY REID??? Kissing Tolstoy if loaded with intellectual banter, wit, and a seriously hot slow-burning romance!! Luca and Anna are not your ‘typical’ romantic couple. They challenge one another academically, in a way that is entertaining and engaging to readers. As with all of Penny Reid’s books, I simply couldn’t read this book fast enough!! A wonderful book that definitely needs to be added to your reader!!
Author
myab
3 years ago
Kissing Tolstoy by Penny Reid (Audiobook)
Narrated by:Fiona Fisher and Stephen Dexter
Series: Dear Professor Volume 1
5 Stars! – Loved this book. So good. Penny Reid’s wit and writing is amazing. I devoured this story and still wish I had more. Characters had great chemistry, was a wonderful slow burn kind of thing. The narration was done well and I am super glad I read this.
~Paragraphs and Petticoats~
Author
sarahdelong
3 years ago
A fascinating read that I thoroughly enjoyed. Anna and Luca were well written characters and the storyline was easy to follow.
Author
jhackett
3 years ago
My first Penny Reid book and I will definitely read more. I love smart characters and I love to learn from said smart characters. This book was filled with plenty of witty and hilarious dialogue (both internal and between the two main characters) and it was a delight to watch them find their way towards their happy ending. These are two characters who’ll stay with me for a long while.
Author
jeannine
3 years ago
I didn’t read this in her newsletter because I wanted to read it all in one sitting and I’m too impatient to wait and read a chapter each month. But ahhhh, I loved it so much! I so enjoyed Anna and Luca, what a great couple. I seriously chuckled a lot over Anna. I give mega points to her because she likes to dance to 80’s music and do the robot. Yes girl, yes!
There is always a couple of sentences in each of Penny’s books that just speak to me. I highlight it and copy and paste it in a note. Sometimes I go back and reread all the ones I have. This one made the bigest impact on me. I wish I would’ve had this in my life 2 years ago. This is sooooo true.
“If you know who you are, rejection matters very little. It says more about the small-mindedness of the person who is doing the rejecting than it does about you.” Yes!
Another great story and I can’t wait to add this book to my bookshelf.
Author
themysciran2006
3 years ago
This is a beautiful love letter to nerdy, angsty, smart literature majors. Anna and Luca are such clever characters and their smarts come across as passion, not pretension.
This isn’t a long story, but the characters have great chemistry. The dialogue is fun. The story does split narration duties bettween the two of them, but it’s mostly Anna’s story.
While I have not read a great deal of Russian literature, and Anna and Luca talk about it a lot, and identify with it on a personal level — I don’t feel like I missed out on understanding anything because of my ignorance.
There is a very teasy teaser for the next book in this series that has me very intrigued.
Author
akuba21
3 years ago
Oh, Penny. How I love thee. Though, admittedly, I haven’t dipped my toes into Russian literature, I definitely fell in love with these two. I couldn’t put the book down once I started it. I love how your novels are easy to read yet thought provoking at the same time.
Author
rgo
3 years ago
Love everything Penny Reid writes! This was a little short but wonderful!
Author
jerriwayne
3 years ago
LOVED loved loved it! Can’t wait for Penny’s next book. My new favorite!!
Author
janeas
3 years ago
Penny does it again! Fun read, and full of smart, witty repartee. Can’t wait for the next one in the series.
The hottest part of this book was Luca. He was the gorgeous professor that had to deal with his students (and me) falling in love with him. He was incredibly cerebral and it was impossible not to squirm at the way his brain worked or for how passionately he would debate his argument. Don’t you just love when a man’s intelligence, and not just his utter beauty, is what really turns you on? While I found his aloof manner and awkwardness absolutely adorable, when it came to Anna… not so much. She drove me nuts and upset me SO MUCH, but I think that was the point. At least I hope it was. As a geek/nerd girl, I love seeing myself represented in books, but I found it hard to relate to Anna. She was immature and acted like a brat and I’m tired of using age as an excuse. I think it was a matter of book smarts vs. street smarts and she severely lacked the latter. Navigating social relationships and conversations didn’t seem to be her forte no matter how many times she found it necessary to tell me, the reader, that she was quite proficient. Nope. She wasn’t. But I loved this girl’s big brain.
Kissing Tolstoy was a sweet and charming student/teacher romance that made me fall deeply in love with Dr. Luca. He was perfection! I’ll take him with leather pants or bowties or button-down shirts or t-shirts or a brown paper bag. I’ll take him however I can get him!!
*3.5 – 4 Stars*
I’m not really 100% sure what to say about this book. I liked it, don’t get me wrong, but I didn’t love it.
I’m not too sure how I feel about our male lead, Luca. For me, I think he was a bit harsh and rude at times. I did really like Anna though, our main female lead. She was a great character.
I have not read any of the Russian works mentioned in this book, and so at times, I wasn’t 100% following the conversations between Luca and Anna, as I couldn’t understand what they were referring to. That said though, when they weren’t discussing those things in depth, the book was easy to follow.
There is a lot of back and forth between the characters about whether or not they will be together, if they actually like each other, are they good enough for each other, etc etc. The book is quite short, but the majority of it is spent like that.
This is a Penny Reid book, so it was bound to be good, its just not one of my faves. Although I will continue the series when the next one is released.
Another fabulous read from this wonderful author!
“Leather pants. Bowties. Stern expressions. All things that shouldn’t be attractive, but were damn sexy on Luca Kroft.”
When Anna Harris first meets Luca Kroft, it’s weird, funny and electrifying! It was also a case of the mistaken identity and she ends up running out on him. Imagine her mortification when he turns out to be her brilliant, new professor.
“She smells like wildflowers and quiet libraries, redolent of peace and exuberance.”
This story gave me butterflies all the way through. It was a delicious, intellectual and amusing read that was full of sexiness and suppressed desire. Anna is super smart, quirky and direct. I loved her spark and awkwardness. I adored Luca! I loved the two sides of him – the biker guy and the erudit Russian Lit professor. Together they were dynamic and fit each other perfectly. Totally recommend!
This book was great – just too short! I’m used to reading longer, drawn out stories and this one caught me by surprised. That said, it was enjoyable. The female lead is very funny, has an original voice and is not stereotypical in any way. I like this best about Penny Reid’s books. I also like the male lead. He is sensitive, brooding and romantic.
The story doesn’t contain a lot of action due to the length, but it is a pleasant read about a slightly taboo love affair between a professor and a student.
I really love this book! This book is my perfect kind of nice. I freaking love Professor Kroft! This book makes me want to read Russian Literature. I wanna devour all Penny’s books.
Gah! Anna and Luca’s story was perfect! I love the student teacher trope and this one was a refreshing take on it. Written very smartly, I loved the interaction between the characters. It was filled with emotion without being totally burdened down with a heavy angst angle. This was my first Penelope Reid book and definitely won’t be my last.
Why has it taken me this long to read this book? It was completely lovely and smart and so, so entertaining! The two main characters, a broody professor/rebel and nerdy beauty/confident woman, were perfect together. They kept each other (and the reader) on their toes with their intellect and strong wills, and the resulting discourse was so fun and sexy. Penny Reid is the queen of smart, funny romance. I MUST catch up on all of her books! She’s a keeper. 5 stars for Kissing Tolstoy!
When your love life is less than acceptable, you hesitate to accept a blind date that your best friend wants to lead you blindly upon. Why is it that a smart and intelligent gal can’t find a date? After a little soul searching, Anna decides to send the email inviting her blind date to meet. What she discovers is a sexy hunk of a man in leather pants. Who knew leather pants could look so good??
As far as blind dates go, this one is unbelievably successful. That was until the moment when Anna learns that she emailed the wrong person! In spite of the obvious attraction, Anna bolts from the meeting determined to put the situation and Luca behind her. What Anna didn’t expect was to run across those sexy pants once again.
With summer session in full swing, Anna signs up for a Russian Lit class. Imagine the surprise when Anna discovers that her Professor is none other than Luca! Tensions swirl between the two. Fate demanding that Luca and Anna deal with the wavering tension and energy that surrounds them. How will the Professor deal with the student that has captivated him like no other in his life? Only time will tell if the images of those leather pants disappear as fast as the wind…..
Can I start by telling you how insanely funny and engaging Kissing Tolstoy was for me??? If you wondered where this amazing piece of writing came from then look no further than Penny Reid’s newsletter. Kissing Tolstoy was previously release in a shorter version within Reid’s newsletter but was entitled Nobody Looks Good in Leather Pants. Now the extended version is here for your enjoyment and is now the first book in the Dear Professor series.
What can I tell you about this book besides the fact it is written by PENNY REID??? Kissing Tolstoy if loaded with intellectual banter, wit, and a seriously hot slow-burning romance!! Luca and Anna are not your ‘typical’ romantic couple. They challenge one another academically, in a way that is entertaining and engaging to readers. As with all of Penny Reid’s books, I simply couldn’t read this book fast enough!! A wonderful book that definitely needs to be added to your reader!!
Kissing Tolstoy by Penny Reid (Audiobook)
Narrated by:Fiona Fisher and Stephen Dexter
Series: Dear Professor Volume 1
5 Stars! – Loved this book. So good. Penny Reid’s wit and writing is amazing. I devoured this story and still wish I had more. Characters had great chemistry, was a wonderful slow burn kind of thing. The narration was done well and I am super glad I read this.
~Paragraphs and Petticoats~
A fascinating read that I thoroughly enjoyed. Anna and Luca were well written characters and the storyline was easy to follow.
My first Penny Reid book and I will definitely read more. I love smart characters and I love to learn from said smart characters. This book was filled with plenty of witty and hilarious dialogue (both internal and between the two main characters) and it was a delight to watch them find their way towards their happy ending. These are two characters who’ll stay with me for a long while.
I didn’t read this in her newsletter because I wanted to read it all in one sitting and I’m too impatient to wait and read a chapter each month. But ahhhh, I loved it so much! I so enjoyed Anna and Luca, what a great couple. I seriously chuckled a lot over Anna. I give mega points to her because she likes to dance to 80’s music and do the robot. Yes girl, yes!
There is always a couple of sentences in each of Penny’s books that just speak to me. I highlight it and copy and paste it in a note. Sometimes I go back and reread all the ones I have. This one made the bigest impact on me. I wish I would’ve had this in my life 2 years ago. This is sooooo true.
“If you know who you are, rejection matters very little. It says more about the small-mindedness of the person who is doing the rejecting than it does about you.” Yes!
Another great story and I can’t wait to add this book to my bookshelf.
This is a beautiful love letter to nerdy, angsty, smart literature majors. Anna and Luca are such clever characters and their smarts come across as passion, not pretension.
This isn’t a long story, but the characters have great chemistry. The dialogue is fun. The story does split narration duties bettween the two of them, but it’s mostly Anna’s story.
While I have not read a great deal of Russian literature, and Anna and Luca talk about it a lot, and identify with it on a personal level — I don’t feel like I missed out on understanding anything because of my ignorance.
There is a very teasy teaser for the next book in this series that has me very intrigued.
Oh, Penny. How I love thee. Though, admittedly, I haven’t dipped my toes into Russian literature, I definitely fell in love with these two. I couldn’t put the book down once I started it. I love how your novels are easy to read yet thought provoking at the same time.
Love everything Penny Reid writes! This was a little short but wonderful!
LOVED loved loved it! Can’t wait for Penny’s next book. My new favorite!!
Penny does it again! Fun read, and full of smart, witty repartee. Can’t wait for the next one in the series.