THE PROFESSOR

Warren’s erotic romance novel about a college sophomore and a mysterious professor explores themes of identity and agency.

Anne Hill, a scholarship student at Tanglewood University, struggles financially and is convinced by her roommate, Daisy, to go to a local high-end bar in Tanglewood City to make money by flirting with wealthy men. Anne meets a man named Will, who’s captivated by her. He buys her an expensive drink and propositions her for an hour of her time in exchange for money. Despite her initial hesitation, Anne agrees to go with him to his hotel suite for $1,000. Their interaction is intense, with Will displaying a dominant demeanor; they have sex, and Anne’s inexperience surprises Will, who asks her, “Why didn’t you tell me you were a virgin?” Later, she finds out that Will Stratford is, in fact, a comparative literature professor at her school. As Anne and Will have further encounters, their relationship becomes more complex; Anne is drawn to Will’s confidence, and he feels conflicted by his feelings for her as he deals with his own personal struggles. The author contrasts Anne’s difficult childhood and financial difficulties with his troubled history involving a mysterious and possibly dangerous group known as the Shakespeare Society. The tension between Anne and Will reaches a peak when they must decide whether their relationship can be more than just transactional. Over the course of the novel, Warren shows notable skill at character development; Anne’s need for financial stability clashes with her growing attachment to a man she barely knows, and he grapples with his need for control. Anne’s growth from an insecure student to a confident, self-assured person is compelling, and the author ably articulates her protagonist’s turmoil through first-person narration, making her relatable and sympathetic. The story occasionally lingers a bit too long on such ruminations, however, which can slow the pace, and the subplot involving the Shakespeare Society, while intriguing, feels somewhat underexplored. Nonetheless, fans of romance and dark academic settings will likely enjoy this steamy story.

A complex tale of forbidden passion that’s likely to engage genre fans.