My Fate Is Sealed by Carmen RichterMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
What's that you say? My Fate Is Sealed is book four in a series but you don't see books one through three on my READ list?
YES, you are correct. I have not as yet read the first three books in the Sealed With a Kiss series, but you don't have to have read them to enjoy books four through six!
Seriously! The first three is the complete Zoe & Elijah love story told from Zoe's perspective, while this beautiful book is the start of Elijah's version of events. I jumped in out of order with My Fate Is Sealed and what better place to dive in than by seeing the original storyline (and moment's you couldn't see from Zoe's point of view in My Lips Are Sealed) than right here and right now!
I'm normally skeptical of the teacher/student romance trope, especially when we're looking at a heroine in high school. This is not a dirty, taboo story!!! If that's the kind of tale you're looking for, then this book is not for you! However, if you want a story about a young, brand new teacher fresh out of school falls in love with a girl who he comes to find is his student on the first day of his teaching assignment and all the awkwardness that ensues, then this is the book for you!
Elijah and Zoe are very real - Carmen Richter wrote characters that you can feel no matter how short an interaction you have with them on the page. I’m already chomping at the bit to read about side characters and begging right here for every single one of Zoe’s friends (especially Grant!!!) to get a book of their own - and DEFINITELY Beth!!! For all the sneaking around and drama, all the nay sayers in their life standing against them, Elijah’s sister steals the show several times keeping his head on straight! Team #GiveBethABook right here!!!! <3
Elijah Larson is probably the most adorkable hero I have ever read! He's so many parts sexy and sweet, combined with a geekiness that speaks to my soul. He has a love for [Tolkien], is a true musical theater buff, and shares my hearty appreciation for one of the best shows to ever be seen on TV.
I love a character that you want to wrap in blankets and cuddle them until their true love comes along. That's exactly what Elijah is. He has so many scars from his past, losing his best friend to suicide, the first girlfriend he managed to open up to after that cheating on him, the poor boy needs sooooo many blankets!!! But despite all that, he's still sweet and honourable. If he wasn't so perfect for Zoe, I'd swear he was my soulmate. I'll settle for him being my Book Boyfriend FOREVER!
Just so you understand, I've licked him, I claimed him, Elijah is MINE!!!!.
I loved going on this journey with him, seeing how he opens himself up and falls in love with Zoe even though many might see their relationship as wrong. This wasn't an abuse of power by holding grades over his student's head in exchange for sexual favours, Elijah's not like that. Frankly, if you're looking for steamy sex scenes, you're going to be waiting through most of the book because Zoe and Elijah do not take their relationship to a more intimate level until closer to the end of the story when they're no longer trying to navigate the precarious teacher/student roles. By the time they do tumble into bed, the connection between them is deep and strong. That's not to say they're unshakeable, nor is it to say there is no angst from that moment on! There's plenty of angst, plenty of heartache, but this isn't the end of their story - this is only the beginning! Hold on to that when you reach the last page and be thankful that you're able to snatch up the next book right away!
I can hear you whispering from all the way over here. Before we get into some of my favourite lines, you might as well ask the questions I can hear you grumbling about!
FAQ
1) You’re sure that I can start here? This is BOOK FOUR after all!
YES, you can absolutely start here!
2) Seriously, I feel like I'm going to be missing something if I don't read them in order. You’re sure there's nothing in Zoe's story that isn't covered here?
I know I'm a little wordy sometimes, but I really thought I covered this? I'll even quote myself if it makes you feel better about it:
The first three is the complete Zoe & Elijah love story told from Zoe's perspective, while this beautiful book is the start of Elijah's version of events. I jumped in out of order with [book] and what better place to dive in than by seeing the original storyline (and moment's you couldn't see from Zoe's point of view in My Lips Are Sealed) than right here and right now!
3) Don't you feel like you missed something starting there? Don't you want to hear Zoe's side too?
Of course I want to hear Zoe's side too!!!! I will be reading them - I just got to Elijah first ;)
4) But Kate, I have to read series in order - how dare you suggest I read these out of order!?!?!
Like I said, you're just getting one POV for the story here so you don't have to read the first three to appreciate Elijah's books because he doesn't help tell the story AT ALL in the first three.
Annnnnnd that's enough, question time is over - on to a few of my…
Favourite Lines -
Yep, I was going to the special hell. In the express lane.
"But as much as I want to listen to the voice of reason in my head, I can’t do it. Because I’ve never met anyone who makes me feel the way you make me feel. I’ve never felt this kind of connection to another human being before. And I can’t turn away from it. As stupid and reckless and dangerous as this is, I can’t not be with you. If that’s what you want.”
“And now I know you love this girl. Telling me it’s up to her when you start doing the horizontal happy.”
“Mattress mambo. Bedroom rodeo. Hide the cannoli. Opening the gates of Mordor.”
Opening the gates of Mordor? Well, that was a new one.
“What in the hell are they teaching you at that school?” I teased, chuckling.
“A ton of euphemisms for the word ‘sex,’” she shot back.
Umbridge? She was using Harry Potter characters for code names? Sweet. I’d found another way to distract her. And I was genuinely curious what she was calling me if Megan was Umbridge.
Me: Umbridge? Really? Do I want to know what name you use for me?
She chuckled.
Mimi: No, you really don’t.
Mimi: No, THIS must be what going mad feels like. My mom can’t stop talking about how cute she thinks you are.
I made the mistake of taking a drink of coffee while I was reading the text, and I promptly sprayed it out of my nose and mouth laughing.
"When I first found out she was one of my students, everything in me was telling me that I should tell her to find a different elective to take and get out of my class. But I didn’t have the willpower. Because I fell in love with her the night I met her.”
I'd give you more, but…
Come along on this ride - I dare you not to fall in love with Elijah and Zoe’s story! I also dare you not to jump straight into the next book in Elijah’s version of the trilogy because I totally failed and devoured the next book as soon as I could!
One click this baby today - you need a little Elijah in your life!
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