He was eighteen. The heir to a notorious, criminal MC. And my student. There was no way I could get involved. No way I could stay involved. Then, no way I could get out alive.An MC student/teacher romance.
Lessons In Corruption: A Student/Teacher Romance (The Fallen Men Book 1)
By gianadarling
One word. Forbidden. This book embodies that word in every sense of it. There’s a small age-gap, student/teacher and a biker gang! It doesn’t get more fun than that.
Now onto the story, I really enjoyed the way it’s written, especially the poetic symbols throughout the book, they were absolutely amazing! I have to say I have never read books like Lessons In Corruption, both about biker gangs and the way it was written. It was my first book from Giana and safe to say I’ll be going on a Giana Darling binge for the forseeable future! Also this book was so so different from other student/teacher trope books, and I think that’s why I enjoyed it so much, there wasn’t the usual drama, it was uniquely crafted in a way that you can’t get enough of.
I’ve also fallen for the complete biker gang! And I can’t wait to read the other books in this series! The characters were introduced so well in this book, it’s left a perfect footing for all the other books and I love it so much!
King is oh well King. He isn’t afraid to show is affections or to go unapologetically go after what he wants which is golden! And all those poems he wrote for her were something else, and boy was he smart, he knew his shit, from bikes to cars to books, and well the bedroom! Could there be a man more perfect, I think not!
Cressida was complex in ways that was realistic, her concerns about her forbidden relationship with King were nice to see, but it was also amazing how she grew into a brave, stronger version of herself with King! She truly rose to be his Queen, and that was absolutely perfect when she finally let go of the insecurities instilled in her by her family and ex! She came out of her shell with King which was amazing to see!
Lastly, King and Cressida’s relationship was forbidden, and taboo but it was so precious in its own insane way, and I loved it!
If you love MC romance books, taboo, age gap, awesome reads with sexy men who know what they want and have no problem pursuing it then this is the book for you. You are going to fall in love with King just like I did.
I first got this BEAUTIFUL BOOK on KU!! After reading the first chapter…I was jooked… I immediately bought the ebook, and loved loved it so much, I bought it as a paperback!! I am obsessed with the connection between King and Cress (King’s Queenie). This book is an explosion of raw emotions, and beautiful chemistry between these two individuals!! Well written, and it held my attention the whole time!!!
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My thoughts right now. ” why did I wait so freaking long to read this piece of awesomeness”.. Don’t ask me why..I’m a creature of habit..that is why..But I’m sorely regretting not grabbing this sooner..
All my regrets aside..this was one of the best MC, the best reverse age gap, the best teacher/student I’ve read in a long long time..
The characterisation of the protagonists was flawless..King was the perfect blend of sexy, possessive and protective..Even though he’s just 18 and there’s an 8 year difference between him and Cressida, never once did his alpha male routine seemed overdone..he knows what he wants, and Nothing will stop him from getting just that..
And Cressida bless her, was strong, quirky, adorable and perfectly imperfect..Even to this day, age gap is frowned upon when the woman is older in some parts of society. So, it’s a huge leap for any woman to take, and none of the concerns of this dynamic were dismissed or overdone by Cressida. She was scared of the judgement, reasonably so, and acted accordingly but not to the extent that we get tired of the push and pull. All the secondary characters were plain awesome and I’m excited for their books..
Now I’m beating myself up for not reading this sooner..This may be the first book I read, but it most definitely will not be the last by this AWESOME author..
Oh my God! OH MY GOD! This book, guys! I haven’t been this exciting over a book for so long and it feels like pure heaven.
Lessons in Corruption was totally my cup of tea. I have a soft for Student/Teacher romances and the forbidden aspect always gets me hooked.
Cressida is such a complex character and I loved the way she transformed herself into a super-woman. She started to live the way she wanted and I admire her so much for having so much strength to do so. On the other hand, my expectations in men are now dictated by King Kyle Garro. This freaking MAN! Never thought I could love a book character that much, but King showed me wrong. Together those two were fire and I am so happy that I decided to start this series!
Cressida was raised by parents stuck in the past and was groomed by them to be this perfect, albeit boring, women. Having enough of her married life, she decides to leave her husband, which also meant her family, and start enjoying her life. What better way to start experimenting and catching up on those lost years than with a sexy as hell biker? Spending time with King was everything she hoped to experience and more and to say that she fell in love with him instantly is an understatement. The only “downside” of this relationship is that it turns out that King is her high school student.
King Kyle Garro is more man than kid. Even though people judge him because he is Zeus Garro’s son, King is actually quite intelligent. Because his dad is the Prez of the Fallen MC, in some ways, he has a preordained path. The thing is he wants to go to college and learn, but with the end game to also help his family.
Though at first Cress was hesitant about having a relationship with her student, which I totally understood her reasons, their chemistry was simply undeniable. Also, King did everything, and I do mean everything, to prove to her he will always, always, protect her and that she should be afraid of what people said about them.
Cress character development was one that I loved. Yes she was very judgy when it came to the Fallen MC, but I also understood she was groomed that way and it was hard to let go of that. Little by little she let go of those judgements (though sometimes they surfaced) and became one of them, a biker babe, no excuse me, a biker Queen, and don’t you dare mess with her.
If you are looking for an insta-love, sexy, taboo, and age-gap new book, I definitely recommend you giving this book a try!
An Intense, Angst Filled, Thought Provoking Book…
“Lessons in Corruption” is the first book in Giana Darling’s, The Fallen Men Series. It is the story of Cressida Irons and King Kyle Garro, Cressida being a severely sheltered twenty-six year old woman trapped in an unhealthy marriage, desperate for more than the dull, proper life she was molded to live. A woman shaped by her society loving, decorum demanding parents to always submit to her predestined life arranged for her by them, a life that includes being married off to her father’s friend William at eighteen, a wealthy, much older man who demands Cressida’s obedience and wifely servitude. Her marriage pleases her parents but ties her to a man who continues to force her into an existence of emotional bondage that affords her no joy or goals of her own and has her mindlessly walking through each day a lifeless husk of a human. A life without color or adventure she grows to abhor, and, in a moment of clarity, runs from, determined to break free and start again on her terms, attempting to regrow a woman she can look at in the mirror and love rather than the dutiful robot she currently is.
However, Cressida’s journey down this new life path becomes more like a high speed rollercoaster ride after a chance encounter with King, a beautiful, wild man who thrills and challenges her beyond words. A man she is instantly attracted to and excited to be pursued by, but a man who is also, unbeknownst to her at the time of their initial encounters, the son of Fallen MC President Zues Garro, and eighteen year old high school senior. A young man who is also soon to be her student at the prestigious prep school where she teaches advanced English and History classes. What follows is a winding, angst filled, emotionally overwhelming ow/ym, student/teacher taboo filled voyage that is as captivating as it is jaw dropping, wholly sincere, and intensely thought provoking.
I have to be honest here, this book made me uncomfortable at first. In general, I do not care for ow/ym stories, but as I read this one and was immersed deeply into Cressida’s conflict, and thrust deeper still by the author into the warring emotions and deep seated needs within her after a lifetime of being forced to tamp her very essence deep down inside herself by almost everyone in her life, I began to see things from a different perspective. Here, within the pages of this story was the realization that the very reason this trope makes me uncomfortable is because of the very thing Cressida herself is trying to escape, female propriety and the societal indoctrination that women are supposed to be “good girls”, and live “good” “acceptable” lives, with “acceptable spouses”. And that my own American indoctrination deep into this ideal standard of female behavior is why my typical reaction to this story concept is to view it as icky and unnatural. Yet here, with her beautifully written story of Cressida and King, Darling ripped open my soul and forced me to stare deeply at my own preconceived notions and then gave me no choice but to more fully understand them and ultimately, change them altogether.
The truth of the matter is, thousands upon thousands of om/ym stories exist, many containing age gaps that are decades more than the one showcased in this book. Many of these stories of much older men and their much younger women have earned my love; more still have earned long, at times winding, but always earnest reviews from me. And as I read this book, read King’s demands of Cressida, watched him beg her not to give in to preconceived notions of propriety, not to taint the purity of what they are both feeling with social expectations and false ideals of purity and acceptability I realized I do the same thing with the very genre itself, give into my ingrained flinch reaction that such a pairing is unnatural and icky and only acceptable in the reverse. And wow, what a punch in the damn face that was. A punch I sorely needed!
My deeply reflective mood throughout the course of reading this book, and the subsequent irrevocable mark these characters stamped deep upon my psyche is a testament to Darling’s literary prowess. Here in this story of a younger man’s determination to keep the woman he wants, societal expectations be damned, is soul deep love. Here, in his strife to get her to see that their love is not only real, but more real than anything ever in her life before it, lies a profound lesson for us all. Here Darling creates a story world so vivid, creates characters so complex and deeply emotional, that not only do they make you feel just as deeply with every passing word, but also force you to reflect and recognize on why you think the way you do about their pairing, and who they actually are at their very core beyond your predetermined notions of who you think them to be. This book is a beautiful story of love and second chances at life. It is also a story of overcoming the fear of people’s judgements and learning how to actually live instead of play acting one’s way through life. It is a truly superb read, one that I highly recommend!
New author for me and yay so pleased to say this was a big hit for me, I adore discovering new writers that hit my sweet spot and this one sure did.
Which is strange because I don’t usually go a bundle on a younger hero but here it didn’t bother me one little bit.
The age-gap here isn’t huge King is eighteen the son of the fallen MC’s Prez and Cressida twenty-six and also his teacher, a few years down the line it wouldn’t be even a blip on anyone’s radar, Here it just seems a mountain but only Cress’s side mostly because of her position and also his young age.
Reading between the lines I think she is also thinking of how she was manipulated at eighteen and using that as an additional reason to stay away no matter her feelings otherwise.
Got to say though that King may be eighteen but he’s all man and doesn’t allow anyone to scare him away from what he wants and he has his sights set on Cress as his queen.
He’s an intriguing mix pumped full of testosterone and confidence, with a protective, possessive streak a mile wide.
He’s a romantic at heart with the soul of a poet and a super dirty mouth, my gawd this was bloody smoking that’s for sure.
I loved everything about him including his tenacity he’s going nowhere and making zero apologies for it either.
He’s definitely not like any eighteen-year-old I’ve ever met before that’s for sure.
Cress grows a lot throughout this when we started this she was just breaking free of the cage her life had been up till now.
Leaving behind her older husband and parents and trying to give zero fucks about society’s expectations and normalcy’s
Meeting and falling for king certainly puts this to the test and she finds herself constantly having to push forward with her courage to try and leave behind her fears and embrace this new reality of hers.
She’s not always successful and does stumble along the way but the best thing about her is that she’s willing to take stock and realise where fault lies and that it’s her fear taking over and King well he really is patience personified and extremely loyal and once Cress gets over her preconceived prejudices and judgements these two make quite a team.
So yeh here you get a slight age-gap and the forbidden romance but also gritty MC.
This focused more on the developing dynamic between King and Cress rather than the MC lifestyle but we are introduced here and do get to spend time within this world.
I imagine the next book will delve much deeper being as it is about King’s dad, the prez of the fallen MC Zeus, now that’s one I’m really looking forward to.
This really was a great read that I enjoyed so much and definitely recommend reading.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
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I found Giana Darling through bookstagram, having noticed all the hubbub around one of her recent releases, “Dead Man Walking.” I waited a little, getting my feet wet in the wonderful world of bookish social media, before finally diving into The Fallen Men series. I decided to start with the first in the series (though they’re all technically standalone books, I believe). I prefer to get the big picture of the new world I’m immersing myself in from the beginning.
‘Lessons in Corruption’ is a contemporary, motorcycle club romance that includes an age gap between the two main characters – King and Cressida. To say that I was not disappointed, is an understatement – the wonderful, positive buzz around this series and this author are well deserved. The writing is brilliant, vibrant and pulls you into a family that doesn’t feel new or contrived but instead makes you fall in love with each character.
Cressida is a very sheltered young woman – married but completely devoid of passion and never really experienced life and living. King is young in years but not in living, not in experience. An old soul in a ridiculously shit-hot body with a penchant for books, poetry, motorcycles and apparently older women. Or at least this one older woman… who also happens to be his teacher!
This taboo relationship has its difficulties finding it’s footing but King’s confidence in what he wants and what his future holds keeps Cress enthralled (though still concerned about what this means for her life, her career, her own future). The love and lives of these characters were complex and layered… and the sex and intimacy were absolute fire!!
More than just King and Cress, Darling introduces to a family you cannot help but adore. Some of the students, most the biker brothers – they’re all fully developed and wonderful characters whose stories you can’t wait to read. Even the character you’re not meant to like, you really won’t like! I promise!
The series is incredible and this book is an incredible set-up to this new world!
4.5 STARS
See my review in French here: https://isalacroqueusedelivres.wordpress.com/2021/01/05/lessons-in-corruption-fallen-men-1-giana-darling
So glad I gave this author a try!
LOVED the writing, the main characters… and the poetry.
King is definitely not a “boy”, he totally surprised me in the best way, and I really loved how Giana Darling dealt with “Queenie” and her personal evolution.
And it was HAWTTTTT
I can’t wait to read the whole series, and know about the other character’s books!
Visit my French blog:
https://isalacroqueusedelivres.wordpress.com
I really liked this book! The teacher/student romance was seriously HOT! This was a great introduction to the Fallen MC world. It was written really well. Detailed but not too much. I loved King!!!!! OMG! He was beyond sexy! I’m so excited to read about big daddy Zeus!!
An age gap romance with a twist. Cress took a bit of getting used to to be honest I thought King deserved better until near the end of the book but thats part of the books appeal watching the evolution of Cress. King is just wow. This books has suspense drama and so much steam.
Rated 5/5
Heat5/5
Angst: 3/5
Named King as he was destined to be so in all aspects of his life. At 18 years of age, he is larger than life itself. And he is no way, shape or form a boy. Aside from the fact that he attends EBA as a senior and has set his eyes on his English teacher.
Cressida has spent her whole life bending to the will of those around her. Married to a man in his 30s when she turned 18 and finding herself longing to be free. But her husband isn’t willing to let go. Now at 36, separating herself to live far under her means and teach English at EBA, has given her tiny wings that flutter with the promise to grow larger and soar.
The day King walks into Cress’ classroom, time stood still. She remembered those eyes, that jaw and everything they promise from across the parking lot. But, the truth of her desires is not normal. A teach and a student is against all sorts of rules. And she lives for the rules, grew up with the rules and only knows how to abide.
King is going to show her that rules are meant to be broken, that a King only takes a Queen to rule at his side and that a King never lets go of what rightfully belongs to him.
I read. I swooned, I fell hard.
: 4.5
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so this was my very first read by Gianna Darling and I’m in LOVE!!!
The reason i started this series is because i wanted to read more than a duet or a trilogy, i really missed being immersed in a world and to have a kind on bond with the characters. The only thing i knew about this series it that it was an MC series, that’s all. So imagine my surprise when i started reading the first book.
I’m a person who’s not really into ‘older woman/young man trope.’ its really not my thing, but King apparently changed my mind. He was smokin’ HOT!! he was sweet, adorable, romantic, protective and above all an alpha male. He was a man and not a 18 years old boy, and the fact that he acted like a man made me forget that he was that young. He knew what he wanted and he went all out to get it.
, ’ .
Cress was a 26 years old teacher who left her husband to start a new life, a life where she can be free and wild. The last thing she imagined was to fall in love with her 18 years old student who happened to be also the son of the PREZ of the infamous Fllen MC. She was raised to be a good person all her life so she knew she can never fall in love with a criminal.
.
The chemistry between them was out of this world. King was all what Cress has ever wanted in a man and much more. And the Garro’s are the PERFECT PEOPLE EVER!!. I loved all the secondary characters and i absolutely can’t wait to read more about them.
, – .
King Cass
This is my first read by Giana Darling and I’ve heard all the good things about this series and here I am starting with book one- Lessons in Corruption!
King is undoubtedly swoony AF- romantic biker poet with swagger and cocksure alpha attitude… a fallen Angel.
“King had arrived in my life like an angel fallen from heaven and ascended from hell, like my own real-life Satan who whispered rebellion in my ear so winningly I had no choice but to answer his call.”
Gahhhh I want to have what they have… to be Cressida to have my own King claim me as his Queen.
This one is a little tricky for me. I’ve enjoyed this story although a few too many times I had to SMH and think, oh really? I could get behind King being more mature (wise?) beyond his years but he’s too well presented- but I wouldn’t refuse him, even at my age, if he materialised before me— just saying
I’m really looking forward to book 2 and the rest of this series.
4 BONE OF MY BONE STARS
I read this in one sitting, it was THAT good. This is literally the definition of a page turner. Omg.
“I could feel his eyes like sunbeams against my face. They warmed me always, made me feel watched in a way that was pure admiration, like he was a painter and I his muse.”
This is an age gap, student/teacher, MC romance and it was brutally hot and romantic as hell. I mean, this is my first Giana Darling book and I’m telling you, she writes an incredible alpha male. One that we’d all literally claw at if given the chance. King, although only 18, was all man. All alpha. All just… everything. I can’t even explain how hot his character was.
“Want to take you right here, right now. Spread these thighs and bury my face in your pussy, see if you taste as sweet as you look. I wanna eat you until I’ve had my fill, and Cress babe, I’m a growing fuckin’ boy so I’m starvin’.”
Tell me you don’t want a hot ass young man telling you that?!
Romance, a bit of taboo with older female teacher and younger male student (he’s 18), suspense, and STEAMY as shit. This book was incredible and I can’t believe I waited so long to start this series. Finished it in HOURS.
I was sucked in before I’d finished the first page. I read the entire series (three books so far) in three days. I would interrupt conversations with my friends and say, “No, really. Read this book.” King is the biker poet of your dreams and they just fit so well together. Giana’s writing is beautiful and poetic while still being blow-your-mind sexy. This book was my first from Giana and I’d decided she was on my favorites list before I’d finished it.
I have fallen for The Fallen!
How have I waited so long to read this incredible teacher/student, age gap masterpiece?!
King Garro is the son of The Fallen MC President and still a HS student. Cressida is trying to find her new groove after leaving an awful marriage. With love at first sight and a pull that has these two inseparable a great love story unfolds.
This story is not without its trials and they definitely worked hard to get through them. What else can you expect from an MC but some wonderful rival drama! King does not seem like your typical biker nor HS student. He is smart as a whip and I loved that about his character and also that he is smokin hot. Cressida was groomed from a young age to act a certain way and it was great to go along on her journey of finding herself and become more independent. These two together were such a great love affair and even though King is a bad boy he is such a swoon worthy one!
Sweet Romance
I read this via my ku subscription and am leaving my review voluntarily. This is book 1 in a series.
Triggers: legal age student/teacher romance, violence
**spoilers**
Cressida, 26yr old teacher. Raised by strict parents then married off to their friend. She feels like life is passing her by and after seeing a beautiful biker man, she realizes she needs to make a change.
King, 18yr old senior. Son of the local President of The Fallen MC. He sees Cressida for the first time and knows she’s different than anyone else and he wants her.
There’s alot of push/pull between Cressida and King. She’s afraid, he’s not. Cressida definitely is immature compared to King but maybe I’m being harsh. She grew up sheltered, he obviously did not. Drama with her family and soon to be ex. Action, violence. HEA