Book Review: Extra Credit by Poppy Dunne

The first time I saw Will Munroe I had him pegged as a typical LA douchebag—a little too handsome, a little too rich, a little too into his probiotic kale smoothies. The next time I ran into him—at his daughter’s parent/teacher conference (me: teacher, he: parent)—I noticed his steel grey eyes, his hard chest under a crisp white button down, and his suggestively bare ring finger. I was hooked.

If life really imitated art, he’d have swept me off my feet and taken me right there on the principal's desk. Instead, we are stuck in our assigned roles. He’s the workaholic single dad of a precocious girl child, and I’m her fiery substitute teacher. Never the two shall meet. Enter one zany, yurt-dwelling ex-wife, a stock market that never sleeps, and some over-the-top, A-list fundraisers, and I've got plenty of drama ahead. Better to keep my hands to myself.

But when Will asks me out for a pancake breakfast, how can I resist? My heart (and my stomach) say yes, but am I willing to risk my job for a short stack and a romp in the hay? A slow, sensual, mind-blowing romp in the hay…

But where there’s a Will…

Extra Credit is a sexy, snarky romantic comedy with an artillery of wit and humor. Poppy Dunne has a knack for creating dynamic visual descriptions and by dynamic I mean how the hell does she come up with these ideas.  I find myself memorized by her stories. Extra Credit is seriously entertaining.

Chelle Richardson (picture a ginger hobbit) is a twenty-eight year old theater teacher at the end of her rope. If she doesn't land a full time position at the Bay of Dreams elementary school (yes, that's the name) she's going to have to return home and live with a couple of clowns (aka her parents) and a murderous anaconda.

Will Munroe is a red-blooded stockbroker (picture a guy who wrestles bears into submission and then beds maidens fair by bubbling streams, beneath a crush of wildflowers) who is also in the middle of a divorce and custody battle. His ex is concerned that Will's not going to be a steady figure in his daughter, Amelia's life. Will is ready to change his ways beginning with volunteering for his daughter's play. It doesn't hurt that the theater teacher is loud-mouthed, caustic and incredibly sexy.

Will pursues Chelle right into his bed and he knows he wants more. Chelle on the other hand struggles with her feelings. She had been hurt in the past by a divorced boyfriend and struggles with her insecurities. Plus, he's a parent of one of her theater students which could potentially be a conflict of interest. Will has his work cut out for him.

I love this story. I'm a big fan of rom-coms and this hits all the marks. So pour yourself some wheat grass and enjoy the story. 5 Stars!