Kissing Tolstoy

3.5 stars

This is my first book by this author. While I wasn't blown away by this book I do think I would still read more of her work.

This is a professor/student romance so if that's not your thing then this book probably isn't for you. In regards to the relationship I feel like it was handled really well. First off they are both adults and the professor didn't try hiding the relationship, he immediately went to his superior. I think it was handled in a healthy way but I know this trope isn't everyone's cup of tea so I wanted to point that out. Also there are some spoilers for some classics like Anna Karenina for instance. I'm sure there are others but I kind of just got through those parts quickly because I haven't read those books yet.

Anna who is the female lead is such a nerd. She's quirky and funny but she annoyed me so much for the majority of this book which is novella length. Her inner monologue with herself and how she would zone out and say stuff out loud that she didn't realize she said out loud. And then toward the end when she decided to act like an adult and actually say what she was feeling it was like all of a sudden I was reading a different character but I liked this version of her more. Luca is your typical swoon worthy male lead and of course I loved him.

Honestly I don't know what else to say about this book. I thought it was cute and I found myself laughing a few times but it didn't blow me away. It was just a quick read that I thought was ok.

Super short synopsis and I ended up loving it. Of course, it is written by Penny Reid, so I wasn't too surprised. 

This book is so cute and adorable while also being drop-dead sexy at the same time. Perhaps this also describes our main characters as well. What I did like is that Anna is smart, going to school to be an engineer (I think?) and yet loves Russian Lit and thinks critically. Her professor teaches Russian Lit, so they balance each other, without Anna being the stupid young one.
And yes, I did say professor. There is a ten year age difference and the power dynamic is brought up. I never felt like this was sleezy– it really showcases how these relationships can be healthy!

These is also some rep throw in as well as Anna is biracial and has anxiety problems. Luca's parents are Russian. There are quotes and arguments in this book which will make you think, making this adorable book also thought-provoking at the same time. 

I absolutely love Penny Reid, this isn't going to change. I look forward to everything she writes. 

I'm so conflicted about this book. On one hand, I absolutely loved Luca and Anna's discussions about books, characters, their philosophies and values and so much more. They were intelligent and thoughtful and really impressed me. I can't judge the accuracy of the points made because I haven't read any Russian lit, but I understood the thoughts.

It was the characters I couldn't connect with. Anna has anxiety, but her overreaction for every small thing just grated on my nerves. Her first choice in any uncertain situation was to run away. She came off as very immature though she didn't like to be called that way. Luca comes across as a very intelligent, hard working professor and he actually is smart about handling his attraction towards his student by taking the appropriate steps. But we don't know much about him because we hardly get to read his POV.

I understand that they connected to each other on an intellectual level but I couldn't totally see their love for each other. Maybe I would have felt more if it was a longer book, but this was too short for me to understand the love. I could definitely get behind the idea that they were great friends.

3.5 stars