Here's the Thing by Susan Henshaw: Book Review

 **ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own. 

The Book

Nine years isn't such a big gap... unless you're grading her papers.

Tally's semester checklist:

✓ Finish thesis

✓ Graduate (finally!)

✓ Figure out why my boyfriend of four years feels like the wrong puzzle piece

✗ Do not fall for Professor Dupree

Too bad my heart didn’t get the memo about that last one.

When my handsome thesis advisor suddenly bows out, I’m devastated.

My friends are right: these messy, intense feelings are not for my boyfriend of the past four years.

And I’m in major trouble.

Professor Dupree’s Professional Checklist:

✓ Grade midterms

✗ Stop noticing how beautiful your student is

✗ Maintain professional distance

✗ Do NOT become her best friend

✓ If all else fails, resign as thesis advisor

Four months.

That’s how long until Tally graduates. Four months until I can finally tell her how I feel.

But when she accepts her boyfriend's very public proposal, I think my chance is gone.

Then I run into her at the restaurant after and she’s in tears.

When she tells me I’m her person, not her boyfriend…

Well. Maybe it’s time for a new checklist.

A sweet age-gap romance for readers who love angsty, small-town charm, big emotions, and love that's worth the wait. Books in the Seddledowne Series are connected but can be read in any order.

The Author

Susan is a sucker for any story if love's involved. When she's not writing, you can find her trying to get her adult children to text back, her teenage daughter to eat something not covered in chocolate, teaching fitness classes at the local gym, or cowgirling on her family's farm in rural Virginia.

Book Review

Here's the Thing is the fourth book in the Seddledown series. While you could probably enjoy this as a standalone, I do think you will get the most out of it if you read the series in order. The Dupree family is large and has its fair share of drama, so I think the relationship dynamics will just make a little more sense to those that have ALL the history. 

Ashton and Tally's story has absolutely intrigued me since their first meeting earlier in the series... but admittedly, I was a little apprehensive as well as I don't typically care for the whole professor/student thing. And yet, despite those initial hesitations, I found myself absolutely LOVING this story. It was at times heartbreaking and raw... but also so beautifully written and swoon worthy. That first kiss!? Oh my goodness! It definitely had a whole lot more angst than the books that I typically enjoy reading, but it 100% drew me in and kept me captivated right from the very first page... I love the Dupree family-- they may have their fair share of messiness, but they love big! There was a twist that I absolutely did NOT see coming, keeping me even more on the edge of my seat. Trust me, you're going to want to experience this one for yourself! I have enjoyed every single book in this series, but this one is definitely my favorite so far... I absolutely cannot wait for Ford's story. 

Here's the Thing is a closed-door romance but does have a subtle fade to black/implied intimacy between a married couple. There is some minor language throughout as well. 

This story does deal with some tough topics that could be triggering to some readers. If you have no triggers and would prefer to avoid potential spoilers, skip over the next paragraph. I do highly recommend reading the author's note before reading though. 



This book deals with several more difficult topics, most notably- rape/sexual abuse. This is off pages in the past, and I thought the author handled the topic well, but definitely something to be aware of. There are also mentions of drug/alcohol abuse. 



You can purchase your copy here: https://amzn.to/3OpYG86