Review: Kissing Tolstoy by Penny Reid (Dear Professor #1)

This book is far from your typical steamy professor-student romance. Instead, it delves into Russian literature and we are treated to the author’s impressive knowledge of it.

The main characters left me feeling disconnected. The female protagonist is obnoxious, and the male protagonist’s quirks were hard to deal with.

Although some may find it enjoyable, I personally couldn’t connect with the characters, especially when the male protagonist’s sister expressed his preference for dating “broken” women and he didn’t actively correct this assumption.

There’s only one sex scene in this book, which would have been enjoyable if it wasn’t overshadowed by lengthy discussions on philosophical topics of the past.

The monologues on blah blah blah made me tune out and I almost gave up on the book halfway through. The female protagonist’s clumsy and obnoxious behavior caused me second-hand embarrassment, and the author’s use of “quirky” felt overdone.

While the book is short, I don’t plan on reading the sequel. I only picked it because of its length and because I’ve read another book by Penny Reid in the past.

Although this book may not be everyone’s cup of tea, it’s a decent read for those interested in Russian philosophy and a subtle take on professor-student relationships.

The author’s knowledge and love for Russian literature is evident, but it may not be the typical steamy romance some readers expect. Give it a chance if you’re looking for something different and thought-provoking.

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