X + E

The Teachers of Hardwood High

By: Nina High

Narrated by: Opal Black, Leon Nixon

Essence Knox never thought she'd be starting over at her age. After two decades of teaching math at Hardwood High, raising her daughters, and keeping everything together, she's faced with a quiet house and tough decisions. Selling the family home seems like the right move, but letting go of the past and the pain that comes with it is easier said than done. Little did she know, her fresh start would come in the form of a new colleague. Enter Xavier Sharpe, the retired military man turned high school teacher. With a calm and charming demeanor, he's the last person Essence expected to encounter in her downsizing journey. But as they work together, their undeniable chemistry becomes harder to ignore. However, Essence has been burned before and is wary of opening her heart again.

As they navigate their feelings for each other, Essence must decide if she's ready to take a chance on love and let Xavier in. But with both of them carrying their own baggage, building a real relationship won't be easy. In this later in life romance, Essence and Xavier must confront their pasts and decide if they have room in their hearts for something new. But will they be able to overcome their own obstacles to find happiness together?

Contains mature themes.

©2024 Nina High (P)2026 Tantor Media

Loved it!

This was a sweet and funny romance. I usually like some drama but this story didn't need drama to be entertaining from beginning to end. I smiled through the whole book. There were a couple of inconsistencies like MFC eating cheese at homecoming despite her dairy allergy being mentioned multiple times and during a sex scene when her hands grab his hair even though he's bald 😆 but nothing that truly took away from the story. Both narrators are great but have slower paced deliveries so I sped up the audio.

Cute Second Chance Romance

This is a short and sweet story about two teachers entering a new phase in life that meet at work and explore the possibility of something new.