From New York Times bestseller Kendall Ryan comes a steamy forbidden standalone romance.
The first time we met was at a party. Your ex arrived to show off the person he’d left you for last month, and you asked me to pretend to be your date. I was more than happy to help. You were attractive, smart and witty–and that kiss we shared? It left me wanting you for days. The second time we met was in … left me wanting you for days.
The second time we met was in my office on campus where we were both surprised to discover you were the new master’s degree student in poetry that I would be working with. You promised to be professional. I did no such thing.
The late nights and intense study sessions spent alongside you majorly throw me off my game. I want you, and I fight with myself daily over this fact.
I know I’m crass, that my sexual innuendos and dirty mouth annoy you, but I live for those two bright spots of color in your cheeks. If that’s the only reaction I can get out of you, I’ll gladly take it.
You hate Mondays so every Monday I slip an anonymous poem into your bag and your smile gets me through the week.
I think I’m falling for you, and I know it’s wrong. I know that I’m only supposed to be the adviser to your program and nothing more, but here’s the thing. I think you’re falling for me too.
xo, Zachmore
This is probably the sweetest forbidden romance that I have ever read! Amazingly well written, fantastic characters, and a HEA? What more can you ask for?!?
Poppy is a grad student that is also a single mother. She had her son at a very young age, and has pretty much made it on her own. She has had no luck with relationships, for various reasons, and really has no faith that they will get better.
Zach is Poppy’s college advisor. He has aspirations of moving to New York City and becoming a writer. With everything against them, they should stay away from each other. They just can’t seem to.
Zach is everything a girl could ask for. He has a tatoo’d bad boy vibe going on, but he is still sweet and supportive. Poppy is an amazing mother, to have raised her son for years on her own and still managed college and working. I can’t think of anyone that could deserve such an amazing man more than her.
This book is amazing from beginning to end. I just can’t think of another way to put it. Just pure amazing!
This was my first read by Kendall Ryan. I really enjoyed Zach and Poppy. The push-pull between them coupled with the obstacles, proved a great combination. I liked their meeting and subsequent reconnecting. Super sweet. Super sexy. Definitely recommend.
Loved this book. LOVED it.
I came across this book; it was like a sponsored ad by the author. Where it mentioned poetry, I’m like done. That sealed the deal. I’ve been writing poetry since I was a teenager, some may know, some may not know. But it’s a part of who I am no matter the length it has been since I last wrote something. I think in away I understood the passion that Zach had for Poppy. He really, truly was meant for her. And her for him.
I’m not going to say; there aren’t those cheesy moments. And I felt that the Epilogue was a little rushed. Just a lot of info, in a few pages. And the true core of this story was so meaningful. That you just melted, like could Zach be real? Xo, Zach is the first book of Kendall’s I’ve read; The writing style was effortless. That right there, I feel is a real talent, and I may or may not have teared up throughout the story.
Overall, I give this Five Boundless Stars. I loved it.
5 He Can Send Me Notes Anytime He Wants Stars!!!
Once again Ms. Ryan has written a story that was engaging, sexy and a great read. Zach and Poppy are not supposed to be attracted to each other let alone together in any way other than Advisor/Advisee…that all goes out the window one night and for me personally, I LOVED it!!
There’s a chemistry between our H/h that as much as they try to deny it, and trust me, there’s some definite angst at one point, it’s bigger than they are…now they just need to come to terms with it. Zach is unlike any Professor I’ve ever had and his notes, they had me swooning and clenching my legs at times.
Oh and the laugh out loud moments were exactly what I needed given some of my most recent reads. Zach and Poppy together are right up in my top favorite characters by Ms. Ryan that’s for sure. And her secondary characters where a flipping hoot!!!
If you’re looking for a light-hearted and witty read to just escape the everyday drama, this is just what the doctor ordered!!!
Eloquently penned with a memorable and touching storyline!
xo, Zach is a sweet, emotional, and a bit angsty love story about two people who were destined to find each other. Zach and Poppy’s dynamic sparked from the pages the instant they met, and their chemistry together only grew more intense and passionate as the story continued.
Let me just say that Zach is hands down one of the BEST characters ever written. Intelligent, funny, charming, and utterly gorgeous with a dirty mouth, he’s the epitome of the perfect guy. And the more you learn about him, the more he displays his romantic, deeply affectionate, and fully compassionate soul. I don’t know how she did it, but Poppy has lady-balls of steel for resisting Zach the way she did!
Poppy was the more reserved, focused, and serious character of the two. With her past and true motivation for achieving success, her bucked down attitude is all too clear as to why she pushes Zach away, and resisting what could be one of the best things to happen to her.
The author delivers another engaging and heartwarming must-read, layered with thoughtful and evocative aspects. xo, Zach is an extraordinary twist on the unconventional student/teacher relationship. The storyline is a build up of desires and intensity that warms your heart until the very end.
5 Stars!
h: Poppy (24)
H: Zach (29)
(Dual POVs)
I am seriously sad to say this story fell a little short for me. I thought the plot sounded interesting and had potential but I wasn’t a huge fan of the way the characters acted. To me, it was a bit over the top and repetitive how they were constantly overcome with thoughts of the other like “thinking about him/her made made my thighs clench/ dick hard.” I also thought the blurb was a little misleading that it states Zach slips an anonymous poem in Poppy’s bag every Monday but the reader only gets an example of one of those poems.
Towards the middle of the book, I did start to feel a small connection with the heroine as I understood some of her fears of failure and desire to prove herself. I really did appreciate how she was a strong woman, determined to succeed and do it on her own.
Favorite Quotes:
As if focusing wasn’t already going to be a problem, that visual cemented- and I mean cemented- my current situation. -Zach
“It’s okay if you need help sometimes. It doesn’t make you any less strong or less capable.”
I enjoyed this story. Poppy did go back and forth and I understood her hesitation though, she didn’t want to mess anything up that she had worked so hard for. She was a single mother trying to protect her son and accomplish her goals. Then there is Zach… Goodness! He was super hot and steamy just waiting for Poppy to get it together. His sense of humor was fantastic, loved how he would just blurt out something that would stun Poppy but at the same time keep to his true self. This story flowed well and kept me entertained. Kendall Ryan certainly knows how to write an amazing story about a forbidden love that seems to just fit together seamlessly.
OMG. Kendall Ryan did it again. Killed it. Nailed it. The writing is amazing, the characters are addicting and it is soooo hard to put down. Poppy is Zach’s Advisee and needs this class in order to graduate. She has someone depending her to get through school so they can live even beter. ****it’s a secret that I am not telling…hehe**** I loved the forbidden quality to the story. Zach is the kind of guy that just makes you want to throw all your rules out the window and enjoy the ride. He is sexy, honest, mature, knows exactly what he wants and what he’s looking for. And his filthy mouth doesn’t hurt either! ***wipes drool from mouth and shirt***Zach’s mother was an absolute riot and I wish to everything holy someone would turn this book into movie, because she sealed the book for me. Zach just might be my favorite Kendall Ryan character to date. I have told everyone to read this book.
The blurb for this book had me wanting this story the minute I finished reading it. Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would. Zach and Poppy share a kiss before he comes to realize that she is his student. He wants her, there’s no denying that. She fantasizes about him a lot but when he tells her how much he wants her, she resists because she’s not ready to date. I love a good college romance story with angst and this story has it, but it’s to the point where it makes the story drag. A lot! Most of the story is about how much Zach want’s and fantasizes about Poppy and vice versa, but after dragging for so long I found myself losing interest in the story. Zach’s mom was a trip and I enjoyed her character but I definitely needed more from Zach and Poppy. This story just wasn’t the one for me.
* A review copy was provided by the author *
Kendall Ryan is the Queen of romance and swoony love stories!!! And this is the reason why I love her books and her writing!!!
I have always been a sucker for a great forbidden romance and Kendall delivered that in spades. She gave us a story between two people who are immediately connected to each other, but later find out that they shouldn’t be together. This story was engaging, sweet, sexy and truly entertaining.
I have to say I think Zach might just be my favorite Kendall Ryan Hero to date!!! He was sweet, swoony, had a way with words both sweet and dirty 😉 and didn’t play any games. He went after what he wanted and didn’t give up….no matter how many times Poppy pushed him away. And how couldn’t a person melt when you read about his interaction with Connor. Poppy and Connor are very lucky people!!! I also liked Poppy’s character. She was a strong single mother who loved her son fiercely. I thought she was the perfect match for Zach. I loved the slow burn of their relationship. I thought Kendall wrote their story at the perfect pace. It truly helped the reader connect and feel their connection!!!
This story isn’t overloaded with a lot of drama that we normally see in contemporary romances these days and I found that to be refreshing. I also loved the perfect mix of, swoon, sexy, and humorous times. Kendall’s secondary characters in this story added the perfect comedic relief to the story. I loved Kody, Jodee and Zach’s mom. They had me laughing out loud!!!!
xo, Zach is Kendall’s latest standalone novel and it is told in Dual POV. The flow and pace of this story was perfect and I think this might be Kendall Ryan at her finest!!! I think this is one of my all time favorite books of Kendall’s. This story will sweep you away and let you live in another world for a little while. It’s the perfect escapism. This is definitely one of my favorite books of 2018 so far!!!
If you are a fan of Kendall Ryan’s then you must read this delicious story and if you have never read any of Kendall’s books, then don’t wait…Start your wonderful journey with xo,Zach!!!
This book is one of the best I’ve ever read. Zach is the epitome of the perfect mate, handsome,snarky, intelligent, built, tattooed, sentimental and outspoken. Poppy is a beautiful single mother with talent,beauty, maturity, a great mother. These two meet at a house party, when Poppy asks him to pretend to be her boyfriend one kiss and the chemistry between these two skyrockets. They don’t exchange numbers but both felt the chemistry. Poppy leaves saying if it was meant to be they will meet again. When they meet again Zach learns that Poppy is his one of the graduate students he is to advise. Here is where the story begins as they two star crossed lovers maneuver a forbidden relationship learning to trust, love, believe, share communicate and open their hearts. This story has all the feels a five star plus read.
I’m so annoyed with myself for waiting so long to read this book! It was absolutely wonderful!
There is Zach, an academic advisor, and Poppy, a student, who meet outside of school only to realize later, after their initial meeting, that Zach is Poppy’s academic advisor. Umm…AWKWARD! Can they make this “forbidden romance” work? And what about life and all the hard work and struggle that Poppy has done to get where she is?
Don’t do what I did and wait to read this book, read it now! If you are needing or wanting something hot, sweet, and absolutely romantic, this book is what you need. (Why couldn’t my academic advisor have been a Zach? 😉 )
Cute story
Very well-written, enjoyable book
terrible ending, the driven girl gives up everything she worked for as soon as she got a man…ugh
Very sweet!
I must admit, I had this book on my Kindle for a while before I read it. I got myself all worried about the teacher/student thing. I don’t like that trope. But this was not even close to what I had in mind. Love it. Poppy is amazing. Zach is so freaking hot and romantic. And the banter between them. Just wow. Then there is Connor, Jodee and Kody. Hilarious. And don’t even get me started on Zach and his Mom. The relationship they have is just amazing.
I’ve enjoyed Kendall Ryan’s writing for some time & xo, Zach is no exception. One small issue with Poppy’s name. Poppy is an unusual name, but I can’t imagine Poppy’s parents coming up with the name. Not when Poppy states they insist she can’t do something and should take a mediocre “stable” job. Parents like that I expect a more common name. I’d expect a Poppy named by someone more like Zach’s mom, the mom with no filter. But that’s beside the point.
xo, Zach is wonderfully charming and sexy as can be. I enjoyed the instant attraction between Zach & Poppy. I was enchanted when Zach tucked the first poem in her bag, but I was a little disappointed we didn’t “see” any others, just a couple light references that it continues. Kody, Jodee and Zach’s mom add some fun comedy relief when things get a bit tense, but hey, that’s what family and good friends are for.
Oh! Can’t forget Connor! He is such an adorable kid. Overall, this book was another fantastic read from Ms. Ryan. I’m finding myself enjoying single parent type stories, so I’m truly looking forward to her next book, Mister Tonight.
xo, Zach is…sigh. (The dopey grinned, sigh of absolute contentment.)
This book is sweet and all around wonderful. Zach is the definition of perfect. He’s gorgeous with some ink. He has a wickedly naughty mouth, a great sense of humor, and he is uniquely in touch with his emotions. He has a job, he writes, and he owns his own house. I can’t possibly come up with all the ways I want to knock a certain someone out of the way and snatch him up myself. (Don’t tell my hubs.) Oh and he’s ready for love…likes kids…hangs out with his mom on occasion. Seriously, I feel like you aren’t getting the amazingness- totally a word, a made up word, but a word nonetheless- that is Zach. Did I mention patient, kind, and extremely considerate? ( I know I sound like grandma trying to set up their grandkids.)
xo, Zach is just…sigh. Well Zach is sigh worthy! All kinds of sighs…
exasperated
lustful
tired
fulfilling…
Plenty of sighs to go around.
reviewed for Sweet Spot Sisterhood