A Season of Eden [Kindle Edition]

I admit, judging from the other reviews I read about this, I was expecting a much better book. I like the premise, and forbidden love is a great draw. But this is definitely not a great book.

What I didn't like so much was the whole teenaged attitude. It's very superficial and immature. Eden has a past of "hooking up" and always getting what she wants. She is typically attractive, rich, and neglected by her daddy after her mother died and now has to endure a plastic step-mother. Eden doesn't make for an original or good heroine, and I felt no sympathy for her.

I found it implausible how quickly she fell for Mr. Christian. She sees him for the first time and immediately abandons her relationship with her boyfriend.

I got sick of how often the phrases "lame", "cool", and "hooking up" were used.

What I did (sort of) like about this book was James Christian (although the way he dresses is so cliche, I had to roll my eyes), the music teacher she falls for. He's not original, either, in any way. He's more like a character in a fanfiction story. Still, he's much too good for her and I have no idea why he fell for her. She isn't much different from other girls her age. Though, to give the character some credit, she does later acknowledge that she's a bit ashamed of herself and that he's too good for her.

The writing is so-so and I wasn't impressed. I've read better teacher/student romances than this, ones that are deeper, better written, and with more interesting, developed characters that go against the grain.

Overall, it was mildly enjoyable, but disappointing and...not very good.

"The melody reached in. Touched me. Filled me. As if an invisible siphon leeched off the notes and chords with the urgency of needed breath. He slowed the piece, his long fingers curling and flattening on the ivory keys, his eyes closing, lashes pressed against his cheeks. The tune echoed off the empty walls with one final deep chord. When he opened his eyes, they locked on mine. His hands slid from the keys and into his lap.

`There can't be anything between us.'"

Eden, a senior at her high school, needs to take an elective. She signs up for Concert Choir, which has always been labeled as an "Easy A" class. She doesn't expect to even care about the class... Much less, truly enjoy it.

However, when Mr. James Christian, the beautiful, young, new teacher, enters the room, Eden's heart stops. Concert Choir will certainly be more than she ever bargained for. Soon, Choir becomes her favorite class, and not because of all the beautiful music. A forbidden attraction springs up between Eden and her teacher, which they must repress.

Eden, dealing with her distant father, terrible stepmother and the loss of her real mother ten years previously, has a lot going on in her life. She seeks solace through Mr. Christian when her school friends become less than helpful. After having experienced a more mature friendship with Mr. Christian, people that she used to hang out with (her ex-boyfriend, etc.), seem suddenly immature and uninteresting. He seems to understand her in an adult way that she has never experienced before.

The dynamic between Eden and her teacher is very interesting. Little details display the subtle changes in their relationship throughout the novel. The reader will slowly watch her change how she addresses him... He goes from Mr. Christian to James Christian to James. Yet, although he is only four years older than Eden, there is still the teacher-student gap that cannot be bridged.

A SEASON OF EDEN will have you wondering, hoping, and crossing your fingers, waiting for something to happen between the two. J.M. Warwick has written a book that can and will be enjoyed by all different kinds of teenagers.

Reviewed by: Margaret Waterman

I couldn't put the book down. Outstanding fast paced page turner. As a teacher of many years, I could identify with the story. Many teens will better understand their own personal issues. Warwick creates two fully developed, compelling characters. I found myself wondering how she could possibly bring a resolution to the story that would satisfy the reader. She resolved it for me.